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Working Towards a National Framework for Autonomous Vehicles In Australia
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Working Towards a National Framework for Autonomous Vehicles In Australia

Interview with Michael Hopkins


This 4-part series is in partnership with ITS Australia. Compass IoT is the official Podcast Sponsor of the ITS Australia Summit 2024 in Sydney.


Michael Hopkins brings significant expertise in transport reform to his role as both the National Transport Commission (NTC) CEO and as an NTC Commissioner. Michael is focused on delivery of our work program, the provision of robust and independent evidence-based advice to Australia’s transport ministers and engaging with our many stakeholders. As a leader Michael is driving change at the NTC, focusing on staff engagement and ensuring the NTC is a great place to work.

He has previously been an Executive Leader at the NTC driving the organisation’s work program, the delivery of reforms and the Commission’s relationship with its partner governments. As a consultant, Michael provided expert evidence-based advice to industry and national, state and local governments on responding to the contemporary challenges faced by a transport sector in transition. As a senior executive in Victoria's Department of Transport, Michael delivered future-focused policy reforms, network strategy and planning, as well as stronger governance to improve the way transport works.

Michael has a Masters in public administration from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (via the University of Melbourne), a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and chairs the Monash University Institute of Transport Studies’ industry advisory group.

What You’ll Learn:

  • About the National Transport Commission (NTC) and it’s role in Australia

  • Early take-aways from NTC’s consultation on higher levels of Autonomous Vehicles in Australia

  • Critical policy reforms needed to support higher-levels of vehicle autonomy and improve transport network strategy and planning nation-wide.

  • About the ITS Australia Summit Sydney 2024 and what to expect from Michael’s sessions.

Quotes:

"I am passionate about the role of transport in cities and the role of data and information for governments to make better transport decisions."

"[NTC’s] role is to essentially negotiate with the states, territories, and Commonwealth to come up with a single approach to transport regulation."

"We've been working on building a national regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles for the past four or five years."

"One of the big themes that are coming out of this is an understanding, particularly from industry and consumers, that a lot of the things that we're trying to regulate don't exist yet."

"There’s a huge opportunity with the data that's available, but there are still obviously some industry concerns about what else might it be used for."

"We really need this to be as consistent as possible, and that's one of the big messages we're getting from the industry."

Links

Byte Size on Apple Podcasts

ITS Australia Summit 2024 Website and Registration

NTC’s Website

Connect:

Connect with Emily via email: emily@compassiot.com.au

Connect with Byte Size via LinkedIn

Connect with Compass IoT (the producer of this podcast) via our website


Discussion about this podcast

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