<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> The Australian transport industry has been stunned and saddened by the sudden passing of National Transport Commission (NTC) chief executive Nick Dimopoulos. </span> <p>Mr Dimopoulos passed away on 8 February 2013, surrounded by his family.</p><p>“The commissioners and staff of the NTC honour Nick’s tremendous contribution to the organisation and the Australian transport industry,” the NTC said in a statement.</p><p>“Nick was a visionary, a tireless champion for transport reform and a proud father and husband.</p><p>“Nick’s positive influence on the NTC and the transport industry generally will be felt for years to come.”</p><p>Nick Dimopoulos was appointed chief executive and commissioner of the NTC in 2006.</p><p>Since joining the NTC he had guided the organisation through influential stages in its history, including overseeing the implementation of the 2009 review of the NTC. He also led the NTC’s support and delivery of Standing Council on Transport and Infrastructure (SCOTI) and Council of Australian Governments (COAG) reforms set to transform Australia’s transport system.</p><p>Nick’s career spanned both the public and private sectors in mining, agribusiness, logistics, finance and infrastructure industries. He held senior executive and chief executive positions within the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and Victorian Treasury. </p><p>He also sat on a number of project boards, which manage SCOTI and COAG-driven national reforms.</p><p>Federal minister for infrastructure and transport Anthony Albanese told parliament, “On indulgence, I wish to inform the House of the passing last Thursday evening of Mr Nick Dimopoulos, Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner of the NTC.</p><p>“Mr Dimopoulos made a major contribution to the work of the Commission since his appointment in 2006, and I greatly valued his advice.</p><p>“The Commission plays a leading role in driving national transport regulatory reforms, and Nick’s leadership and guidance will be missed by Ministers and officials from across the Commonwealth, states and territories.</p><p>“In the past three years Nick and the Commission have worked very hard to implement the historic national regulator reforms, which will provide Australia for the first time with a seamless national transport regulatory system. </p><p>“His dedication and professionalism will be sadly missed. </p><p>“Speaker, I have passed my condolences on this morning to Nick’s widow,</p><p>Steph and their children. My thoughts are with them, and Nick’s colleagues, at this time,” Albanese concluded.</p><p>The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) also paid tribute Mr Dimopoulos’ contribution to the transport sector. </p><p>“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Nick Dimopoulos, and on behalf of ALC, I express our deep condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” ALC managing director Michael Kilgariff said. </p><p>“Nick was a tireless advocate for transport reform in Australia and he brought to the task enormous determination, purpose and vision.</p><p>Importantly, he understood not only the economic benefits of reform, but also the social benefits which flow to all Australians. </p><p>“Nick played an instrumental role in developing national regulators for heavy vehicles, rail safety and maritime safety – all of which were recently established.”</p>
