Monday

BIC Chairman Welcome

Wayne Patch, Chairman – Bus Industry Confederation

During a 20 year career with the Queensland government Wayne had considerable exposure to the bus industry which culminated in him heading up the government’s team to negotiate the introduction of the major passenger transport reforms of 1994 with industry. In 1995, Wayne
took over the reins of Queensland’s newest bus company Transit Australia Group. Wayne was also a driving force behind the amalgamation of two industry bodies and the formation of the Queensland Bus Industry Council (QBIC). He served as QBIC President for 4 years. He has served as the Queensland representative on the national industry body, the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) and was elected Chairman of the BIC in October 2011. During his many years of service to QBIC and BIC, Wayne has willingly contributed his time and experience at no cost to industry.

Introduction to Conference Opening

Laurent Offroy, Chief Operating Officer, Bus – Keolis Downer

Laurent was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer for Keolis Downer Bus, in early 2018. Prior to this he assisted Keolis Downer with the ATE transition back in 2015 as well as working on the implementation of the Newcastle Integrated Services Contract.
Prior to moving his family to Australia Laurent held the position of COO for Keolis Belgium where he had been responsible for town and regional bus services in the Brussels Region. He also held a Board position in Belgium and was Head of Marketing and communication for Belgium. Previous roles include CEO of EFFIA Transport for the Keolis Group based in Paris where was responsible for the design, implementation and operation of bike and car sharing services and Logistics and Transport Director for JCDecaux. With a Masters degree in Economics and Management and a Bachelors degree in Science and Mathematics, Laurent also has a passion for studying and enhancing his skills across many fields.

Keynote Addresses

Chris Steel – Minister for Transport and City Services – ACT Government

Chris is a Member for Murrumbidgee in the ACT Legislative Assembly and has represented the districts of the Woden Valley, Weston Creek, the Molonglo Valley and Kambah since 2016. Prior to entering politics, Chris was an education advocate at peak body Early Childhood Australia and has previously worked in both the Australian Government and ACT Government focusing on a range of social policy areas. Since August 2018 Chris has also served as a Cabinet Minister in the ACT Government and is currently responsible for the following portfolios: Minister for Transport, Minister for City Services, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Roads & Active Travel and Minister for Recycling & Waste Reduction.

Keynote Addresses

Janet Rice – Senator for Victoria and Australian Greens respresentative for Transport and Infrastructure

Janet has been a passionate environmentalist and activist for more than thirty years, and took her seat as a Greens Senator for Victoria in 2014. Janet was the first coordinator of Bicycle Network Victoria’s Ride2Work program and chair of the Metropolitan Transport Forum in Melbourne, advocating her vision for healthy, clean and safe transport. Prior to entering parliament, Janet was a councillor and mayor of the City of Maribyrnong in Melbourne’s west, working to involve people in Council decision-making, and positioned the city as a leader in reducing carbon pollution and taking action against global warming. She even swapped the mayoral car for a bike as part of her commitment to reduce pollution. Janet is committed to taking action for a caring and sustainable society. Her work focusses on her portfolios of Transport and Infrastructure, Forests, LGBTIQ equality, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Sport, as well as handling Science, Research and Innovation in the Senate. She advocates for federal funding for public transport, bike and walking infrastructure, works to protect Australia’s native forests and the animals that rely on them from destruction of logging, and proudly stands with LGBTIQ communities in the fight for equal rights.

Keynote Address

Australia’s Future Infrastructure Challenges – the importance of the bus

Peter Colacino, Executive Director Policy and Research – Infrastructure Australia

Peter Colacino leads Infrastructure Australia’s Policy and Research team and is tasked with identifying the greatest challenges and opportunities facing the delivery of infrastructure for Australia’s growing cities and regions. Peter brings his experience working both in positions across the public and private sectors on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, including Northconnex, Transport for Newcastle and Gold Coast Light Rail, as well as bus operations in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. More recently, Peter has been at the forefront of tranformational change in transport services, championing the adoption of connected and autonomous vehicle technology, electric vehicle adoption and new models of transport service provision.

Mobility as a Service

Facilitated by Matt Threlkeld, Executive Director – Bus NSW

Mobility as a Service – The State of Play in Australia

Susan Harris, Chief Executive Officer – Intelligent Transport Systems Australia

With an extensive career in transport strategy, as Chief Executive of ITS Australia Susan is ideally placed at the nexus of technology and transport to translate the benefits to business and the Australian community, supported by strong connections to the international ITS community and the global network of ITS Associations. Susan is highly regarded for her roles supporting the growth and innovation of our industry including: convener of Austroads CAV Industry Reference Group; National Transport Commission Industry Advisory Group; 2026 Spatial Agenda Leadership Group.

Does MaaS play a role in improving mobility in our cities and regions?

Walter Weber, Managing Director – NetBI

Walter Weber is Managing Director of netBI and has decades of experience in applying advanced data analytics to enhance economic and environmentally sustainable transit networks. netBI was formed from Exec Pty Ltd in 2006 and is proud of its impact within the transport industry, having grown rapidly to service 8 regulators and over 55 operators since this time. Walter’s industry experience is combined with professional qualifications including a Bachelor degree of Science, Computing and Mathematics and an MBA from The University of Qld (1996). Walter’s work with Transport for Brisbane in his university years led to netBI’s first implementation.

On Demand Trials – what have we learned in New South Wales?

Emma Reedy, Project Director On Demand Transport – Transport for NSW

Emma is the Manager Operational Delivery and the Project Director of the On Demand Public Transport Program. Emma has worked for Transport for NSW (in its various forms and names) since 2003, holding various positions in the Transport Services Division focussing on public passenger service compliance and regulation between 2003 and 2011. Between 2011 and 2016 Emma was the Business Manager for the service Delivery and Asset Management branch, responsible for ensuring services met corporate objectives and were focussed on delivering better
transport outcomes to customers, before moving on to her current role to lead the On Demand Transport project in 2016. This involved the development of an innovative procurement strategy that led to the award of 22 contracts to deliver On Demand Public Transport pilots across NSW, in addition to developing and implementing 2 permanent on demand services in Sydney’s North West linking to the Sydney Metro in May 2019.

Navigating the Ponds: A “city” case study in on-demand mobility service

Byron Rowe, Managing Director – Busways Group

As the Managing Director of Busways, Byron represents third-generation leadership of one of Australia’s largest family-owned bus companies. From growing up around buses and being mentored around the kitchen table, followed by a decade working across Busways’ human resources, communications, finance and IT disciplines, Byron has inherited an intrinsic appreciation for transport planning fundamentals complemented with a natural passion for exploring new technology and future mobility solutions. Most recently Byron led the conception of Cooee Busways, the world’s fastest growing first and last mile on demand solution in western Sydney in partnership with Transport for NSW; Regional Australia’s first Automated Vehicle Trial ‘BusBot’ in Coffs Harbour in partnership with the NSW Government; introduced the first contactless card payment solution in regional NSW, and drove the strategy for the development of Busways’ bespoke software solution
for bus operations. Taking Busways into its 77th year, Byron is focused on continuing to raise the benchmark for providing exceptional bus transportation in Australia.

Managing Uncertainty

Matthew Wilson, Executive Director – Pitcher Partners

Matthew is a Partner in Pitcher Partners Consulting with extensive experience in providing commercial and financial services to a broad range of private and public sector clients, both in Australia and the United Kingdom. Matthew has worked with in the consulting group since 2007. Prior to joining Pitcher Partners, Matthew worked with a number of Government Departments in the United Kingdom delivering major financial transformation projects, including the UK Cabinet Office, the Department of the Deputy Prime Ministers and the Public Guardianship Office. Matthew is a Chartered Accountant who holds a Bachelor of Commerce, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, a Masters of Business Administration, and is a member of the Institute of Charted Accountants and the Institute of Company Directors.

PART 1 – NAVIGATING PROCUREMENT

Trends in Government Procurement and its impact on bus service contracts

Keith Boyer, Director – Scriptus Consulting

Keith Boyer is a management consultant who has spent twenty years examining procurement from both sides of the purchase equation. In 2016, after nearly ten years in government roles across public transport, Keith formed Scriptus Consulting where he uses this experience to partner with private and public organisations to help them improve their procurement approach or their responses to procurement opportunities, assist teams to design value focused contract based relationships and to improve how they designed and deliver contracts. His advisory work is focused on procurement, transport and disruptive technology and has has seen him work across Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East to contribute to the development of contracting and regulatory instruments for new mobility and micro mobility services, support large scale eBus procurement projects, developing new approaches to collaborative contract relationship structures and leading projects to review and reform major public transport contracts.

International Procurement – Lessons from Abroad

Greg Balkin, General Manager New Technologies and Innovation – Transit Systems Group

Greg has over 45 years’ experience in the public transport industry in Australia, and has lead major Mobilisations for Transit Systems and its international affiliate, Tower Transit. Transit Systems is Australia’s largest privately owned bus operator, operating over 2300 buses in Australia. Greg is the General Manager, New Technologies at Transit Systems and was responsible for the deployment of
electric vehicles in Sydney which is the first successful integration of Electric Buses into general route services in Australia. Greg is currently working with on the potential deployment of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses in Australia.

Lessons learnt on multimodal procurement

Mark Dunlop, General Manager, Keolis Downer Hunter – Keolis Downer

Mark is a senior manager with strong public transport experience in metro, regional and charter operations. He has a long career in public transport beginning in senior management in 2000, when Mark took on the role of general manager at the start-up of TransitPlus, a joint venture operation in Adelaide. And, when Australian Transit Enterprises acquired 100% of this operation in 2008, Mark’s experience was significantly extended in the metro operation, SouthLink, and the establishment of LinkSA a regional operation within South Australia. In 2018 Mark was appointed as general manager at Keolis Downer Hunter in Newcastle. As Australia’s only multimodal operation, this company is breaking new ground for public transport. It is currently operating bus, ferry, light rail and new mobility options such as an on-demand service and an autonomous vehicle. It has changed the face of public transport in Newcastle and demonstrated that innovation has a key role to play in public transport. Strong strategic thinking, negotiation and communication skills underpin Mark’s proven capability to motivate and lead a coordinated cross-functional team to achieve corporate and customer objectives. Mark bases his management style on the belief that ‘our people and sound commercial relationships are the key to success in all aspects of our business’, and this approach has resulted in Keolis Downer Hunter achieving a number of key milestones since it kicked off in 2018.

PART 2 – SOCIAL PROCUREMENT

Facilitated by Chris Lowe, Executive Director – BusVic

The Social Procurement Movement – Australian and New Zealand Transport Agency Actions

Chris Newman, Managing Director – ArcBlue

Chris Newman is a Managing Director at ArcBlue, one of the Asia-Pacific Region’s leading procurement consultancy, analytics, and training organisations. One of ArcBlue’s key areas of expertise and experience is in social and sustainable procurement, where Chris has been a leader over the last decade. Chris has played a key role in social and sustainable procurement projects across the region including: 

-Support for the development of key Government policies and frameworks, including the Victorian Government’s new Social Procurement Framework, the Transport for NSW Social Procurement Workforce Policy and Guidance, and the NZ Transport Agency’s Broader Outcomes Framework;
-The delivery of social procurement and workforce development strategies on current major infrastructure projects in Victoria and NSW, working with Government and with major suppliers; and -Support for the development and implementation of the Geelong and Gippsland Regional GROW Programs over the last 4 years, working with over 100 organisations to maximise the local economic and social impact from their procurement. MBA qualified, Chris has presented at State, National and International Conferences on contract management, social and sustainable procurement, modern slavery and supply chain risk.

Social Procurement – a government perspective

Presented by Martin Bradshaw, General Manager, PTST Branch – TransLink, on behalf of Matthew Longland

Matthew Longland, Deputy Director-General -Department of Transport and Main Roads

Matthew is the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the head of TransLink, where he leads the delivery
of customer-focused passenger transport services across Queensland including policy, planning, ticketing, contract management and customer
services. TransLink Division is responsible for the integrated rail, bus, ferry and tram network in South East Queensland; and long
distance rail, coach and aviation services in regional, rural and remote Queensland.

Tuesday

The Australian Bus Scene – views of the interlopers, explorers and locals – Panel Facilitated by Sam Lucas, Managing Director – Warrnambool Bus Lines

Tony Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer – Buslink Qld and Buslink NT

Tony is a proven business leader in Transport, Tourism and Logistics with in excess of 35 years’ experience in the Industry, delivering transport solutions in Public and Private Transport as well as to the Resources Sector. Tony’s recent appointments include CEO of Buslink VIVo and General Manager Wheatstone; Government and Public Affairs for Greyhound Australia. He has served as a council member on various boards including the Bus Industry Confederation, the Queensland Bus Industry Council and the Australian Public Transport Industrial Association.

Laurent Offroy, Chief Operating Officer, Bus – Keolis Downer

Laurent was appointed to the position of Chief Operating Officer for Keolis Downer Bus, in early 2018. Prior to this he assisted Keolis Downer with the ATE transition back in 2015 as well as working on the implementation of the Newcastle Integrated Services Contract. Prior to moving his family to Australia Laurent held the position of COO for Keolis Belgium where he had been responsible for town and regional bus services in the Brussels Region. He also held a Board position in Belgium and was Head of Marketing and communication for Belgium. Previous roles include CEO of EFFIA Transport for the Keolis Group based in Paris where was responsible for the design, implementation and operation of bike and car sharing services and Logistics and Transport Director for JCDecaux. With a Masters degree in Economics and Management and a Bachelors degree in Science and Mathematics, Laurent also has a passion for studying and enhancing
his skills across many fields.

Adam Pulitano, Managing Director – Pulitano Group

Adam was born into a family of bus operators in Melbourne and joined the family business, Bus Queensland and the Pulitano Group, in 2008 after nearly fifteen years of experience working in various roles in the Victorian bus industry. During this time Adam gained extensive experience across all aspects of operating a metropolitan bus service including scheduling, roster design, service delivery, asset and front-line management skills. Since 2008, Adam served as Bus Queensland’s General Manager and oversaw the company’s Redbank and Park Ridge operations. In 2015, Adam was appointed as the Managing Director of Pulitano Group, encompassing both Victorian and Queensland service contract areas with 650 employees and a fleet of 430 vehicles.

Steffen Faurby, Chief Executive Officer – State Transit

Steffen Faurby is the Chief Executive Officer of State Transit Authority, the only NSW Government operated bus company in the Sydney Metropolitan area. State Transit has a workforce of  approximately 3,700 employees and runs 1,500 buses which service up to 150 million customers
annually. Steffen joined State Transit in May 2017 with a mandate to drive significant reform. With his executive team, the results have been improved safety for customers and staff, sustainable cost reductions, increased efficiency, improved staff engagement and better customer outcomes. Prior to this role, Steffen was CEO of Harbour City Ferries, the private operator of Sydney Ferries. Steffen
has 29 years of global experience in building high-performing teams and leading business transformation in the private and public sectors, and in industrialised environments.

Ian Craig, Chief Officer Bus Operations – Transdev Australasia

A distinguished transport executive, Ian is passionate about working with organisations which move people and bring cities to life. As the Chief Officer of Bus Operations for Transdev Australasia, Ian oversees Transdev’s substantial portfolio of Australasian bus operations in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand. Ian is also the Acting Managing Director of Transdev’s Melbourne bus operation and has previously held the position of Managing Director of Transdev’s New South Wales bus operation. Prior to joining Transdev in 2018, Ian held senior leadership roles in ARRIVA, Edinburgh Trams, Lothian Buses, National Express, SAPTCO and
West Coast Motors (his family’s business which has been in operation since 1921). Ian is a past Chair of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (Scotland) and a Fellow of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics. In 2014, Ian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for services to Transport and the Environment by Edinburgh Napier University.

Clint Feuerherdt, Chief Executive Officer – Transit Systems

Clint is responsible for leading the Transit Systems Group, growing a business that has a strong commitment to service delivery and workplace culture. Under his guidance, Transit Systems has been entrusted with more franchised bus service contracts than any other company in Australia. In 2012/13 Clint led the Group’s expansion into the United Kingdom, making Transit Systems the only Australian-owned multinational public transport operator. After further expanding into Singapore in 2015, the Group has established operations in some of the most respected public transport networks in the world and in 2018, became the largest private operator of Sydney’s bus network adding the Region 6 STA contract to its portfolio. In parallel to growing the bus division, Clint also led the Group to become the largest private operator of passenger and vehicle ferries in Australia, before negotiating the sale of the ferry division in 2015 to SeaLink Travel Group. With an investment banking background, Clint is regarded as a transport infrastructure expert. He is active in shaping transport policy in Australia and is a regular speaker at transport and infrastructure conferences. Clint graduated from the University of Queensland with an Honours Degree in Commerce and was awarded the University Medal.

Keynote Address

Michael McCormack – Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Regional Development

Michael McCormack has lived and worked in the Riverina region all of his life. He was elected as The Nationals’ Member for Riverina 2010 and has held the roles of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance, Assistant Minister to Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, Assistant Minister for Defence, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel and in February 2018 Michael was elected the 14th Leader of The Nationals and was sworn in as Australia’s 18th Deputy Prime Minister as well as the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. Prior to entering Parliament, Michael began professional life with a journalism cadetship with The Daily Advertiser newspaper in Wagga Wagga in 1981. He became editor at the age of 27, making him the youngest person appointed to edit of a daily newspaper in Australia at the time. Michael later co-founded a media and publishing small business in
Wagga Wagga, which he owned and operated in partnership until he was elected to Parliament. Michael is also a keen sportsman with interests in horse racing, Australian football, Rugby League and cricket, a sport which he still regularly plays – MP commitments permitting – with Wagga Wagga’s St Michael’s Cricket Club. He is a life member of the Harlequins Hockey Club. Michael has been married to Catherine for 33 years and they have three children. As a community advocate over the decades, Michael is proud to be the Riverina’s voice in Federal Parliament.

Future Bus Services

Traditional Bus Services, Branded Bus Services (BBS) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from workhorse to thoroughbred – big benefits for minimal cost

Yale Wong, Research Associate – Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, The Business School, University of Sydney

Yale Wong is Research Associate at the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS): Australian Key Centre in Transport Management at the University of Sydney Business School. Yale’s research focus encompasses three core facets in future mobility, transport contracts and bus operations. A major area of work for Yale is to market test the mobility as a service (MaaS) proposition with the aim to understand what the community demands and businesses are willing to provide. As part of this, Yale won the David Willis Prize (2018) for pioneering work using stated choice methods to identify the structure of broker/aggregator mobility contracts. Yale has also received the ITLS Research Prize (2018) and was selected amongst a competitive pool as Youth Ambassador (2019) representing Australia at the 26th Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Singapore. In addition, Yale undertakes a number of advisory and consultancy projects with clients ranging from bus operators to industry associations, vehicle suppliers and local government. Having previously worked in bus operations with experience in network planning and service development, Yale continues to be called upon regularly by the bus industry in his now strategic capacity looking to the future of the industry in an era of disruption and change.

Buses – what should be measured to improve service delivery and should it be national?

Walter Weber, Managing Director – netBI

Walter Weber is Managing Director of netBI and has decades of experience in applying advanced data analytics to enhance economic and environmentally sustainable transit networks. netBI was formed from Exec Pty Ltd in 2006 and is proud of its impact within the transport industry, having grown rapidly to service 8 regulators and over 55 operators since this time. Walter’s industry experience is combined with professional qualifications including a Bachelor degree of Science, Computing and Mathematics and an MBA from The University of Qld (1996). Walter’s work with Transport for Brisbane in his university years led to netBI’s first implementation.

Regional Mobility

Regional and low volume bus services – what are the ‘new mobility’ solutions?

John Nelson – Chair in Public Transport – Institute of Transport & Logistics Studies, The University of Sydney Business School

Professor John Nelson is Chair in Public Transport at the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS), University of Sydney which he joined in February 2019 from the University of Aberdeen where he was Sixth Century Chair in Transport Studies and Director of the Centre for Transport Research. While in Aberdeen he completed two terms as Director of Research and Commercialisation for the College of Physical Sciences, was Co-Director of the RCUK dot.rural Digital Economy Hub and latterly served as Director of Postgraduate Teaching, School of Engineering. Before moving to Aberdeen in 2007 he was Professor of Public Transport Systems in the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Newcastle University, having initially joined the academic staff as a lecturer in 1992. John is particularly interested in the application and evaluation of new technologies to improve transport systems (with a particular focus on public transport and
shared transport solutions) as well as the policy frameworks and regulatory regimes necessary to achieve sustainable mobility.

Demand responsive service “regional” case study – a solution for low density areas?

Sam Lucas, Managing Director – Warrnambool Bus Lines

A fourth generation bus operator, Sam has worked in all facets of the bus industry; from driving to operations, workshop and administration to his current role as Managing Director of Warrnambool Bus & Motor Company, since starting with the family group of companies nearly 20 years ago. These roles have given Sam extensive experience in service planning and delivery, accreditation, fleet procurement and contract management, as well strong experience in design and project management of recent bus depot developments. Sam sits on the board of both BusVic and BIC, as well as APTIA and is an active advocate for improvement in public transport services, particularly
in regional areas, and ensuring development and relevance of bus operators across the country.

Bus Safety Forum – is there a national bus agenda?

Keynote Address

Hon Scott Buchholz – Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport

Scott has worked in the transport industry in Queensland for 25 years. Until recently, Scott was a Director of CQX and Toowoomba Express Couriers. Both businesses were on forwarders to regional Queensland for companies such as Wards Skyroads, Mayne Nickless, Comet, TNT, and Toll Express. Prior to starting his own businesses, Scott’s interest in economics stemmed from his time in the finance industry with Australian Guarantee Limited (AGC) where he got his start in the Credit Department. From there he expanded his Commercial and Agri-Finance skill sets, working with rural businesses across Queensland. In addition to his recent re-appointment to the Ministry
as Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott previously served as Assistant Minister for Roads and Transport.

Bus Safety and NHVR – Update

Greg Fill, Director Safety Standards and Assurance – National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

Greg has spent most of his career working in the wider transport industry. He has been involved in engineering on major transport infrastructure projects, as well as working for various local, state and Commonwealth governments and agencies on road, rail and maritime safety initiatives, public policy and legislation. Greg was also the head of safety at Queensland Rail and has spent the last two years as Director of Safety and Assurance with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator.

Bus Safety – a Transport Safety Victoria perspective

Lisa Faldon, Acting Director – Transport Safety Victoria

Lisa Faldon has worked in transport safety for 15 years – focussing on risk management. Lisa is currently the Acting Director, Bus Safety Victoria. Prior to that she was Acting Director, Maritime Safety Victoria and in recent years the Manager of Research, Strategy and Risk for Transport Safety Victoria. Lisa’s key achievements during this time include implementation of the Maritime Safety Act 2009 (Vic) and associated regulations, and management of the waterway management function during a significant period of review. She also commissioned and led a number of pieces of behavioural research in the area of recreational boating activity. Since working in the area of bus regulation Lisa has gained a heightened appreciation of the bus industry, its networks, its grass roots traditions, and the pride that drivers and operators take in getting people home safely. Lisa works to ensure that all operators from the small-scale owner operators to international transport companies, are meeting their responsibilities to their passengers for the safety of their service. With a Master of Business Administration and an Executive Masters of Public Administration Lisa uses a combination of academic acumen and data based evidence to provide practical results driven guidance of Victoria’s bus fleet safety.

Safe and Inclusive Public Transport – a Qld training package

Caron Menashe, Senior Community Relations Officer – Queensland Human Rights Commission

Caron Menashe has been with the Queensland Human Rights Commission since 2008. As part of the Community Relations Team, she has responsibility under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 and the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019 to deliver education, community engagement and  awareness raising programs, with the aim of promoting human rights and equality of opportunity for all people in Queensland. Caron’s role includes developing and delivering tailored training and information sessions on Queensland anti-discrimination and human rights law for government,
businesses, community organisations, and community groups. She also works in collaboration with these organisations to deliver community engagement projects and activities with a human rights focus. In 2017 and 2018, Caron was part of the Commission’s Safe Transport Project team, and worked with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Queensland Police Service, and the Queensland Bus Industry Council to develop and deliver the Ensuring Safe and Inclusive Public Transport training package. Caron holds a Masters in Development Practice (Community Development) from the University of Queensland.

Wednesday

Industrial Relations – What to Expect

Keynote Address

Scott Barklamb, Director for Workplace Relations – Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Scott Barklamb, as Director of Workplace Relations, leads the Australian Chamber’s Workplace Policy team, working to ensure the regulation of work in Australia is globally competitive, and supports investing, creating jobs and doing business in this country. A critical part of this is working with the Chambers’ unique network of employer representatives to develop the policy ideas and approaches that will support business in delivering work opportunities and high standards of living now and into the future. Scott and his team regularly advocate on behalf of the Australian business community to parliamentary committees, industrial tribunals and a wide range of inquiries and reviews on major national workplace relations matters. Scott also represents the Chamber network on Australia’s National Workplace Relations Consultative Council (NWRCC) and its sub-committees on workplace relations legislation and international labour relations.

Industrial Relations Industry Panel – Q&A

Marcelle Davis, General Manager – People, Culture & Operations – ComfortDelGro Corporation Australia

Marcelle Davis is the General Manager, People, Culture and Operations for CDC Victoria, which is a member of the ComfortDelGro Corporation group of companies, one of the world’s largest operators of essential commuter and charter bus services and wholly owned by the international Singapore transport giant ComfortDelGro. CDC Victoria is a key provider of essential transport services to millions of commuters across Victoria, serving the inner and outer western suburbs of Melbourne, including the fastest growing residential corridors of Wyndham, the Melbourne CBD and inner south-eastern suburbs. Across regional Victoria they serve the Greater Cities of Geelong, Ballarat and Mildura and surrounding regions. CDC Victoria operates from 7 depots a fleet of 500 buses and coaches, and employs over 900 drivers. We provide essential bus route and school services that enable over 12 million commuter trips each year, as well as a thriving charter business. As a member of the Executive Management team of CDC Victoria, Marcelle is responsible for overseeing the Operations team to ensure the delivery of quality, responsive and professional bussing services. She is also responsible for a number of functional management teams, namely human resources, employment and industrial relations, training and development, community engagement and occupational health and safety. Marcelle has worked for CDC Victoria since February 2015. Prior to that she was the inaugural General Manager People and Culture for Transdev Melbourne. She has worked in senior management roles in health and disability services and media. Marcelle
also holds a Legal Practicing Certificate, having been admitted in 1996.

Steve Schofield, Group Head Human Resources and Industrial Relations – Downer Group

Steve is senior HR professional with a genuine commitment to improving organisational capability through developing internal Talent. He holds an MBA in Human Resources from Macquarie University. Downer Group employs approximately 56,000 people across more than 300 sites.
In December 2017 Steve was directly involved in the Downer Group’s $1.3 billion acquisition of an 87.8% interest in the Spotless Group. As a Board Director for Foodbank NSW, a not-for-profit charity supporting those charities caring for struggling families in NSW and the ACT every week, he is regularly reminded of the need to remain grounded and the importance of keeping issues in perspective. Foodbank NSW/ACT directly supports more than 170,000 families every week providing food and groceries. Through valuing, developing and challenging the Talents and Key Specialists within an organisation, Steve has been able to make a substantial contribution to those organisations where he has held senior HR roles.

Tim Capelin, Partner – Piper Alderman

Tim joined Piper Alderman having led, for over a decade, Australia’s leading boutique workplace law firm. He has more than 20 years’ experience in employment and industrial relations law. During the last two decades, Tim has represented a broad range of companies (including many of Australia’s best known employers) in a myriad of employment and industrial relations matters. The companies with whom Tim works appreciate his practical application of relevant laws to assist them to achieve appropriate commercial outcomes. He has particular experience advising clients on enterprise bargaining, WH&S, discrimination and senior executive matters. He is an experienced advocate
and has represented employers in all relevant tribunals and courts. Tim has acted for leading organisations in most industry sectors including public transport, food and beverage, retail, health & hospitality, pharmaceutical, logistics, resources, construction, government, finance and insurance. He frequently presents on workplace law topics, is a regular contributor to industry and legal publications and is sought by the media for comment on workplace law issues. Tim has also been recognised in the Best Lawyers ® listing 2016 and 2017 for Labour and Employment Law.

Low Emission Buses

Electric vehicles, hydrogen and low emissions: a government perspective

Mark Darrough, Acting General Manager, Land Transport Policy Branch – Fed Dept Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development

Mark is the Acting General Manager of the Land Transport Policy Branch which develops and implements Australian Government policies on matters including land transport sector sustainability, safety, inclusivity and productivity. The Branch advises on lower and zero emissions vehicle policy; administers the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport; and is leading the Australian Government’s involvement in the review of the Heavy Vehicle National Law. In addition to his transport and infrastructure experience, Mark has led strategic policy work – and provided Budget advice – on issues including climate change, health, education and skills.

Moving to hydrogen: the benefits for bus and coach

Dr Neil Thompson, Managing Director APAC Region – ITM Power

Dr Neil Thompson has undertaken award-winning research at QUT Australia and KIT Germany in his role as Adjunct Associate Professor with the Institute for Future Environments (IFE). His work in the field of integrated hydrogen energy systems has been regularly published in the USA and Europe leading to his recent appointment as Managing Director of ITM Power Pty Ltd for the APAC region. Since then he has developed a number of local reference sites for ITM’s rapid response PEM electrolysers across the mobility, renewable chemistry and power to gas sectors in partnership with key international clients.

Low emission buses: a transport operators perspective

Greg Balkin, General Manager New Technologies and Innovation – Transit Systems Group

Greg has over 45 years’ experience in the public transport industry in Australia, and has lead major Mobilisations for Transit Systems and its international affiliate, Tower Transit. Transit Systems is Australia’s largest privately owned bus operator, operating over 2300 buses in Australia. Greg is the General Manager, New Technologies at Transit Systems and was responsible for the deployment of
electric vehicles in Sydney which is the first successful integration of Electric Buses into general route services in Australia. Greg is currently working with on the potential deployment of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses in Australia.