Reddy ready for new challenge

THE EXECUTIVE director of Freight Victoria, Praveen Reddy, has resigned to take up a position focusing on providing services and opportunities for new arrivals in the country.

It is understood Mr Reddy tendered his resignation from the Department of Transport and Planning before Christmas and his departure was confirmed via an email to industry and other stakeholders this afternoon [6 January].

Mr Reddy will finish up on Friday 16 January and join AMES Australia as the chief strategy and partnerships Officer.

AMES Australia is a Victorian public entity, accountable to the Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006.

It was originally founded in 1951, teaching English to new arrivals in makeshift classrooms in Nissen Huts in northern Victoria.

“Our organisation’s antecedents were the hundreds of dedicated teachers who selflessly volunteered their time to help the thousands of new arrivals from post-war Europe to successfully settle in Australia through the acquisition of English language skills,” its website informs.

“AMES Australia has grown to be Australia’s pre-eminent settlement agency, delivering services to over 50,000 clients a year.”

 In his email Mr Reddy said: “While it was a difficult decision, the time felt right after almost six years in the role at Freight Victoria".

“I remember starting in February 2020 just as we were entering those heady days of COVID – from lockdowns to testing and permits to vaccinations," he said.

"We endured the build-up of full and empty containers at the Port of Melbourne, had great support during the development of the Victorian Commercial Ports Strategy, introduced voluntary pricing protocols, developed a refreshed Victorian Freight Plan, enhanced the V/Line rail freight network,  made progress on freight sector decarbonisation and finished with the opening of the West Gate Tunnel.

“We could not have done this without our industry partners. As many of you have heard me say, we will always take your call, although we may not always agree - which made for a healthy and robust relationship.

"I am proud of what my team has achieved working alongside many of you."

Mr Reddy decsribed the "respect and trust that has been developed, and particularly when dealing with sensitive matters, has greatly enhanced the advice we have been able to provide to government".

“Thank you for all that you have done for the ports and freight sector. Thank you for supporting our vision to enhance Victoria’s liveability and economic prosperity,” he said.

“I will retain my phone number and will commence in a new role at AMES Australia as the Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer supporting migrants and refugees to settle, build skills and participate meaningfully in the richness that Australian society has to offer. I will be looking to some of you to develop industry partnerships.”

Responding to the news, Container Transport Alliance Australia director Neil Chambers told DCN: “CTAA wishes Praveen well in his future career, but we are naturally disappointed that we will 'lose' a person who had a genuine empathy and understanding of the freight logistics sector, is a good communicator and an approachable and collaborative person".

“From the container freight industry’s perspective, the role played by the Freight Victoria unit within the broader Department of Transport & Planning, is vital in developing policy advice to government grounded in practicality and guiding important initiatives and infrastructure developments which are of real benefit to a vital sector of the economy,” Mr Chambers said.