Bus SA Annual Report to 30 June 2015 Welcome to the Bus and Coach Association SA Annual Report 2015
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Bus SA Annual Report to 30 June 2015 WELCOME TO THE BUS AND COACH ASSOCIATION SA ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Board Board Members SA Councillor to the Bus Industry Confederation President Don Benbow (BIC) and the Australian (from 16/12/2013) Passenger Transport In- Jim Scott Mark Dunlop dustrial Association (AP- (to 04/10/2013) Stephen Nesbitt TIA) Tony Townsend Ben Romanowski (04/10/2013 - 16/12/2013) Jim Scott Dean McGinty Dean McGinty Peter Stone (to 07/04/2014) (16/12/2013 - present) Maureen Sullivan Sam Lucas Tony Townsend Vice President (until 16/12/2013) Auditor Philip Walker Tony Townsend Hayes Knight (to 04/10/2013) Executive Director Dean McGinty Address (04/10/2013 - 16/12/2013) Agnes Wong Stephen Lucas (to 04/10/2013) Suite 515, 147 Pirie Street Adelaide SA 5000 (16/12/2013 - present) Lauran Huefner Email: [email protected] (04/10/2013 – present) www.bussa.asn.au PRESIDENT’S REPORT Although this President’s Report is Director. Lauran has extensive not-for- to form a minority government with the being written as part of the 2015 Annual profit leadership and strategic planning support of the independent Geoff Brock, Report, it will necessarily focus on the experience and skills suited to evolving Member for Frome, who was appointed activities from 2013 – 2015, as, under the the Association into its next phase. His Minister for Regional Development. Constitution changes explained below, challenge is to shift the Association into Chloe Fox, Minister for Transport Services, the same Board has been in place for this a research and policy driven advocacy had retired from Cabinet and lost her seat period. space, with a remit that focusses on the at the the election, and was replaced as sustainability of the industry through The year ending June 2014 was one of Minister for Transport and Infrastructure by growth. significant development for industry new MP, Stephen Mullighan. Stephen was representation in South Australia, with a This structure has remained in place formerly Chief of Staff to former Treasurer focus on re-positioning the industry body through the 2014 and the 2015 year. I Kevin Foley, and is widely considered a with a focus on industry development would like to sincerely thank Jim Scott and potential future Premier. underpinned by strong policy and research. Tony Townsend for their time, effort and The Liberal Party also experienced a dedication to the Association during this Changes made to the Rules of Association number of changes. Corey Wingard was transition. Without their input it is likely and approved at the General Meeting in elected as the Member for Mitchell and that the Association would not have been August 2013 came into effect that month, was appointed as Shadow Transport able to survive the changes it was going and a new Board commenced in October Minister, replacing Vickie Chapman. through. 2013 to hold office for a period of 2 years. The complete shock came when Martin This two year period will end at the AGM As a result of the changes to the Hamilton-Smith, former Opposition for the period this Report covers, and Constitution, the cycle of meetings Leader, abandoned the Liberal Party and scheduled for late November 2015. was altered to streamline activities. An established himself as an Independent important change, agreed by the Board, Liberal, taking on a Ministry within the At the October Board Meeting Jim Scott was to make Board Meetings “open”. This Labor Cabinet. This shored up Weatherill’s stood down from his caretaker role that means that any member can attend as an was in place since the approval of the new position, and deflated theLiberals further. observer. In practice this also means that Constitution, and Tony Townsend was An analysis of the election would indicate a member can comment on any agenda elected as President, with Dean McGinty that the outcome is likely attributable to item, but is not able to vote on outcomes. as Vice President. Due to work and health a couple of factors – the success of the We encourage our members to partake pressures, however, Tony was unable to ALP in marginal city seats and how the in this active governance, and make their continue, and resigned from the Board Liberals were perceived by the electorate opinions known. To June 2015, we have and the Presidency in December. Don to not offer a comprehensive and viable held meetings in Adelaide, Clare and Benbow was invited to fill the casual Board Murray Bridge, with meetings planned to alternative. vacancy, and Dean McGinty was appointed be held in Melbourne and Naracoorte in President with Stephen Lucas as Vice – the 2016 year. President. The Board and I also acknowledge the tate Election and Fallout work of Agnes Wong who was Executive The March 2014 State Election Director until October 2013. Agnes was Sdelivered a surprise result – in that focussed on progressing the Association the Labor Government was returned for during the challenging period in 2012 – its fourth term, now with Jay Weatherill 2013 and was always willing to take on as Premier. This was unexpected and the challenges necessary to bring about could possibly be interpreted as the first change. We wish Agnes every success in backlash against the Abbott Federal her future career. Liberal Government, although the election In October 2013 the Board chose to was prior to their first (and extremely appoint Lauran Huefner as Executive unpopular) budget. Weatherill was able The election result surprised many, both local and national, to develop his including the Labor Party. In many ways knowledge about good bus policy. they were not expecting to retain office, Over this time our aim has been to but they did move quickly to kick-start deliver calm, professional, approachable their activities, especially in Transport. representation of your business. We have Both Fred Hanson (CEO of Renewal cemented our links within the Bus Australia SA) and Rod Hook (CEO of DPTI) were Network, enhanced our relationship removed within 3 months of the election, with the Australian Passenger Transport with Hanson replaced by John Hanlon Industrial Association, re-engaged with (from DPTI) and Michael Deegan taking up our supplier friends, run a successful the role in DPTI. conference, re-located our office and set The appointment of Deegan could be our Association on a solid financial footing. considered a bonus for the Government as We have introduced Moving People he is a very experienced senior government SA – a policy platform for the industry’s on his retirement. Minister Rankine had executive, including a stint as Coordinator future – and contributed to a number of dealt with extensive challenges in child General of Infrastructure Australia, and in Government inquiries. We have regular protection, an issue that dogs Families SA, the RMS in NSW. He is widely considered worthwhile conversations with Government which is part of the DECD portfolio. a tough but fair operator. about the future of transport in our State. Minister Close has been very approachable Deegan initiated considerable changes The work of the Association will be covered and interested in the sector, and has within DPTI, including the removal of quite in more detail in the Executive Director’s responded well to the policy opportunities a few officers. He has publicly stated that Report below. we have put to her. The Minister was kind his intent has been to have DPTI more enough to speak at our conference in It is important to note the contribution of directly engage with the community and May 2015, and the operators present were the Board over this time, providing input with industry to sort out the issues that pleased to be able to put questions to her and guidance on the key topics that lead exist within the department, and initial that might not have been easy in years to the outcomes we are seeking. I thank indications are that he is delivering on previous. the Board for their commitment to the this model. Our meetings with him have Association, and particularly want to thank reinforced this view that he is accessible, The appointment of Geoff Brock as Jim Scott for taking on the challenge of interested and engaged – provided we Minister for Regional Development has leading the Association through its change, present a sensible case. also been valuable for Bus SA, as we and to Tony Townsend for providing a had engaged well with him prior to the The Education Minister, Jennifer Rankine, steadying hand on the Association right election, and his awareness of our policies retained her position after the election, but through to his resignation from the Board. in relation to regional transport is very resigned in early 2015. She was replaced high. This knowledge can only be useful by Susan Close, the Member for Port when in Cabinet. Adelaide, who replaced Kevin Foley This bodes well for the coming year – a new approach, a government that is interested in reform, and hopefully a set of policies that Government feels is approachable and sensible. At the same time, the Liberal Opposition appointed Corey Wingard as Shadow Dean McGinty Minister for Transport. We have formed President a good relationship with Corey and keep June 2015 him informed of our policy positions and developments as a matter of course. He is very approachable and has taken time to attend various bus industry events, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Membership can be perceived as costly 4. Privatise operation of DECD owned and we must focus on the value for money buses (yellow fleet) equation when attempting to grow the 5. Establish Tour SA By Coach strategy membership base. 6. Introduce Operator Accreditation Over the course of the 2015 year, our Program number of members was 35.