Planes, trains & automobiles - the intersection of transport, competition & investment incentives

Lunch with Peter Harris AO

Hosted by John Ridley AM

Suffering from the ‘tyranny of distance’, we all know how important the airline industry is to Australia for both internal and international transport.

In the past twelve months, we have seen yet more examples of airline failures, reduced service levels, restrictions on competition and higher fares than for comparable travel in other countries.

Yet Government response seems to have been indifference. Why does this continue to happen?

Fortunately, we will be able to engage on this very important issue with a person who has worked both sides of the game, working for an airline as well as leading reviews of aviation policy to seek to engender greater competition.

We are privileged to have Peter Harris AO join us at lunch for a discussion on this issue.

Between 2001 and 2002, Peter was vice president of government and international affairs with the Air New Zealand/Ansett Group. Ansett went into liquidation in March 2002 and Peter joined the Victorian public service as the Director of Public Transport and later Secretary of the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

In November 2012, Peter was appointed Chairman of the Australian Productivity Commission where he lead studies into competition in the airline industry.

Peter was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2013 for distinguished service to public administration through leadership and policy reform roles in the areas of telecommunications, the environment, primary industry and transport.

Peter has held a number of other senior roles in government including as senior private secretary to Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

Join us for an important and stimulating discussion!