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Supplier summit

The Bus Industry Confederation’s National Suppliers Summit will be held in Canberra in March

Suppliers are being encouraged to attend the National Suppliers Summit in Canberra held by the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) later this year to discuss industry developments in an open forum environment.

The summit will be held in March parallel to the National IR Seminar before the National Industry Dinner.

BIC executive director Michael Apps is encouraging all suppliers and operators with technical businesses to attend the summit.

“It serves a look at the year ahead and the BIC’s technical program, and the key priorities for the year as it relates to vehicles standards,” he says.

“It’s also an opportunity for suppliers to hear about the overall BIC work program and what we’re doing to promote the bus industry ultimately the government’s investment in public transport.”

Apps says part of the BIC’s aim through their advocacy work on behalf of suppliers is to increase bus sales in Australia.

“It’s also an opportunity to look at industry representation and what the suppliers are looking for from the BIC.”

Some of the program highlights will include discussions around safety, 360 degree driver vision technology, the introduction of Euro 6 emission standards and crash prevention technologies.

The Federal Minister for Industry Ian Macfarlane has also been invited to attend as keynote speaker.

Apps says there is the intention the suppliers will lead the discussion in the direction they feel most appropriate, as opposed to being led by the BIC.

He hopes there will also be some better co-ordinated approaches to technology issues by the BIC and state associations. 

“It’s a fairly open forum so it’s an opportunity for supplier members to voice and issues they may have.”

The National IR Seminar will also run parallel to the summit with all those in attendance invited to the National Industry Dinner.

The seminar will include the launch of the health and wellbeing kit that has been developed specifically for the industry. 

Australian Public Transport Industrial Association (APTIA) national industrial relations manager Ian Macdonald encourages APTIA members to attend.

“The purpose of it is to cover the broad spectrum of industry matters,” he says.

Minister for Employment Eric Abetz is one of the keynote speakers who will talk about the Federal Government’s industrial relations strategy.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Brendan O’Connor will present alternative thoughts on the Federal Government’s IR policies and strategies.

The National Industry Dinner will be held after the summit and seminar has finished for the day.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss has been invited to attend, and other Members of Parliament are expected to attend.

Representatives from the Fair Work Commission (FWC), Piper Alderman, Australian Chamber of Commerce (ACCI) and The Interact Group have also been extended invitations to speak.

“From an IR perspective, there will be a significant incentive for the delegates to come along,” says MacDonald.

“If you’re an IR nerd like I am – it’s exciting.”

The event will be held at Hotel Realm in Barton, Canberra, on March 24 and registrations for the events will be open to industry in the coming weeks.

The BIC Council will also meet the following day on March 25.

 

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