With Melham due to depart on October 14, search for his successor has begun
The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator have thanked outgoing ATA chief executive Christopher Melham for his contribution to the industry.
ATA chair Noelene Watson applauded Melham’s efforts during his five-year service at ATA.
The trucking body states that Melham made “significant gains in a number of areas including:
- Reconnecting the Tasmanian Transport Association with the ATA
- Achieving reductions in heavy vehicle fuel taxes with the Australian government freezing the fuel tax paid by trucking operators in the 2015 Budget and reducing it in the 2016 Budget.
- Leading the national campaign to defeat the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal and in so doing, secured the livelihoods of numerous small trucking businesses.
- Securing the agreement of transport ministers to simplify and extend the scope of chain of responsibility laws, which are now before Parliament.”
The trucking body has already begun its search for a replacement of Melham, who is due to depart on October 14.
ATA says Melham will be taking up a new role in another industry association.
“As a member of the NHVR’s Industry Reference Forum, Chris made a substantial contribution to the heavy vehicle industry and the advocacy he provided for his members has been invaluable,” NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto says.
“Chris was a supporter of the formation of the NHVR and while we didn’t always agree on specific issues, I appreciate that Chris always had the best interests of the industry when it came to regulatory reform.
“I wish Chris the very best for his future endeavours.”
The regulator says it is looking forward to “continuing to have strong engagement with the ATA and its new CEO, once appointed, as it seeks to continue to build a safer and more productive heavy strong industry”.