QTA Leads Industry Advocacy for Members (QTA AGM Report)

On Tuesday 18 April 2023, the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) held its 47th Annual General Meeting which featured highlights of the Association's key advocacy activity, event highlights and bespoke project work from the 2022 Calendar Year and the election of the 2023 Board of Directors.

With clear strategic policy priorities, QTA lead the advocacy on many key issues in 2022, including constructively educating industry and government on the impacts of the reduction to the fuel excise and adverse impact on fuel tax credits. This prompted fleet owners to act and undertake comprehensive reviews of fuel prices and implement fuel levies into job pricing. Other advocacy work included:

• Four the Future of Road Freight - Federal Election Blueprint
• Federal Government Jobs and Skills Summit - addressing the critical driver shortages
• Heavy Vehicle Driving Apprenticeship approval in Queensland

Strong attendance was seen at all events during the year with a major highlight, a record attendance of over 400 guests at the 2022 Road Freight Industry Awards which saw Kathy Mobbs (KS Easter) as the first female to win the Professional Driver of the Year Award.

2022 saw many QTA Projects come to a conclusion and new projects commence including: First on Scene Remote Incident Training, Driver Digital Literacy Project (TAFE Qld) and Heavy Vehicle Safe Driver.

CEO Gary Mahon delivered a presentation on 'What Minimum Standards should look like' sharing with members and guests the importance of having an 'eyes wide open' approach using balanced and measure steps to shape the legislation that is fair and inclusive of all parties who have an economic influence in the supply chain. 

The full President's Report presentation can be viewed via this link.

2023 QTA Board a strong representation of diversity

Two new Director's were appointed to increase representation for North Queensland on the QTA Board. Tayla Connolly (Oakdare Holdings - Townsville) adds another injection of youth on to the Board, and fellow NQ colleague Brian Smith (D & B Smith Brothers Transport - Mt Garnett) will represent the Livestock Sector and remote Queensland road freight issues. Tayla and Brian join a diverse Board that now comprises 12 Directors from a cross-section of sectors, regions, age and gender to steer the QTA in 2023.

Paul Kahlert (CEO, All Purpose Transport) was elected unopposed and returned as President for his third term in the role. He will be joined by Bryan Smith (Rocky's Own Transport) who was re-elected as Vice-President and Andrew Tompkins being elected as the new Treasurer for 2023. These three Directors, along with immediate Past President Julie Russell will form the Executive Team.

Acknowledgement was made to 2022 Board Members Kevin Alexander (Bonds Transport Group) and Lance Law (Law Transport) who did not seek re-election in 2023.

Full list of the 2023 QTA Board as follows:

As seen in above photo L-R: 2023 Board (L-R) Andrew Tompkins, Bryan Smith, Julie Russell, Brian Smith, Paul Kahlert, QTA CEO Gary Mahon, Michael Mahon, Samantha Clayton, Ben Colvin, David Simon, Tracie Dickenson, Tayla Connolly. Absent: Cheryl Connor.