The NHVR has paid tribute to its inaugural chair, the Hon. Bruce Baird AM, who passed away suddenly last week, he was 84.
Baird was the first chair of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and headed up the organisation from its inception in 2013 until he stepped down in 2018.
He also served as the NSW transport minister from 1988 to 1995, and was the father of former NSW state premier Mike Baird, the ABC journalist Julia Baird, and marketing executive Steve Baird.
As a NSW government minister, Baird was instrumental in lobbying for the 2000 Olympic Games to be held in Sydney, before he then entered federal parliament as the Liberal member for seat of Cook.
The former Transport minister on the NSW Griener Liberal government was actually appointed to the NHVR role by the man who is now our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who was the Federal Labor Transport Minister at the time the Regulator was founded.
The Regulator said in a tribute to Baird that it was saddened to learn of his passing of the Baird AM, who as well as bing its inaugural chair was a respected leader in Australian transport industry and public service.
It said that Baird played a pivotal role during the establishment of the NHVR and guided the organisation through its formative years. it said that as chair from the regulator’s inception, he helped set the strategic direction of the Regulator and oversaw its development as Australia’s first national heavy vehicle regulator.
It added that Baird guided the organisation through a significant period of reform and change, helping bring together government and industry in pursuit of a safer, more productive heavy vehicle industry.
It said his leadership was characterised by integrity, professionalism and a genuine commitment to public service, and his contribution to the Australian transport industry extended well beyond the NHVR and that he will be remembered by many across the sector.
The NHVR extended its sincere condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues.
