New chief executive officer appointed to National Transport Commission

NTC staff including former CEO Dr Gillian Miles (front right). Photo: NTC LinkedIn.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King has announced the appointment of Michael Hopkins to the role of chief executive officer of the National Transport Commission (NTC), effective 10 July.

Mr Hopkins comes to the role from the position of state director of Veitch Lister Consulting. He has also previously held the position of executive lead, Strategy & Engagement at the NTC, and deputy secretary Policy & Reform at the Victorian Department of Transport.

He succeeds Dr Gilliam Miles who served as CEO from 2019 to May 2023, and Dimi Rigas who has been acting in the role since Dr Miles’ departure.

In 1991, the National Road Transport Commission (NRTC) was formally established by an inter-governmental agreement. In 2004, the NRTC was renamed the National Transport Commission to accommodate the inclusion of rail and intermodal transport, and with ongoing responsibility to develop, monitor and maintain uniform or nationally consistent regulatory and operational reforms.

The NTC also advises the Transport and Infrastructure Council on national regulatory reform development, implementation and evaluation in the Australian land transport sector.

“The appointment of Mr Hopkins will provide strong leadership for the NTC and enhance its capacity to address the challenges facing the transport sector,” Minister King said in a 3 July release.

“I welcome Mr Hopkins to the role and look forward to continuing to work with the NTC as we drive a safer, greener and more productive transport sector. I also thank Dimi Rigas for her service as the acting chief executive.”

NTC chair Carolyn Walsh said: “The NTC is thrilled to have Mr Hopkins on deck as we continue to work on advancing social and economic outcomes for all Australians by supporting an efficient, integrated and national land transport system.

“COVID shone a light on just how critical transport is to our way of life, which makes our ongoing work to lead national land transport reform more important than ever.”