Federal Assistant Minister for Road Safety & Freight Transport Scott Buchholz is set to headline the VTA State Conference 2021, with a keynote opening address on Monday 22 March.
Buchholz was elected to the federal seat of Wright in 2010 and is a 25-year veteran of the transport industry in Queensland. Prior to entering politics, he was a director of freight forwarders CQX and Toowoomba Express Couriers, servicing regional Queensland. Buchholz was appointed Assistant Minister for Road Safety & Transport in 2018, with the portfolio adjusted to include Freight Transport the following year.
VTA CEO Peter Anderson said Buchholz had taken a very active and engaging interest in issues impacting the freight and logistics sector in his three years in the portfolio, and that he looked forward to welcoming him to address his first VTA State Conference.
“The Commonwealth has generously supported successive VTA State Conferences with the Deputy Prime Minister a frequent speaker at past events,” Anderson said. “We have worked very closely with Assistant Minister Buchholz in recent years to advocate for policy and legislation to make our road network safer for freight operators, and are thrilled he has accepted our invitation to address delegates, especially in a sitting week of Federal Parliament.”
The State Conference kicks off on Sunday 21 March at Silverwater Resort, Phillip Island with welcome drinks and dinner, ahead of two days of keynote addresses, panel sessions and networking and social opportunities with numerous high-profile stakeholders from the freight and logistics sector.
Under the theme of ‘What’s in Front for the Transport Industry’, speakers will include senior ministers and shadow ministers from the Commonwealth and Victorian governments, along with regulators, enforcement agencies, freight operators and suppliers.
“Our program is steadily taking shape and we are grateful for participation from industry experts to address delegates on industrial relations, heavy vehicle transport law, human resources, safety, technology, infrastructure, education and training, and other key issues confronting the transport industry,” Anderson said.
A range of price points are available for those able to attend all or parts of the conference, with special discounted pricing for VTA members. For more information, please click here.