The Australian trucking industry is mourning the passing of Professor Michael Coper AO, Chair of the TruckSafe Industry Accreditation Council.
CEO of the Australian Trucking Association (ATA), Geoff Crouch, said, “The ATA, TruckSafe and the industry are deeply saddened by the loss of Michael Coper.”
Professor Coper’s connection to the transport industry began in the mid-1980s when he joined the NSW Road Freight Transport Industry Council as the legal member.
In 1988, Professor Coper was appointed as the lawyer member of the Inter-State Commission, producing several reports on the efficiency of interstate transport.
One of the Council’s recommendations led to the establishment of the National Road Transport Commission (now the National Transport Commission).
In 1996, Professor Coper was appointed as Chair of the TruckSafe Industry Accreditation Council, playing a key role in delivering positive outcomes for trucking businesses, helping to manage risk and boost safety.
Professor Coper was also a former Dean of the Australian National University College of Law.
In 2018, Professor Coper was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for distinguished service to legal education and transport safety.
TruckSafe Chair, Ferdie Kroon, said, “This prestigious honour recognised Michael’s passion to improve the trucking industry in the interest of everyone who makes a living from it and who is served by it. In other words – all Australians.
“We will remember Michael as a great advocate of safety within the transport industry,” he said.
