Australia’s National Summit on Commercial Vehicle Decarbonisation
Monday 30 March, 2026| 10am-5pm
The Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT
Australia’s clean-energy transition cannot succeed without tackling freight. By 2030, transport will be our largest source of emissions — and every year of delay locks in higher costs for business and the climate alike.
Freight Forward is where Australia’s transport, energy, and industry leaders come together to change that trajectory.
This milestone summit will align government ambition with industry momentum — showcasing early adopters, sharing credible pathways, and building a united voice for the policies and investment frameworks needed to scale zero-emission freight.
Hosted by
Major Partners
Supporting Partners
Every major shift starts with a shared vision. Freight Forward is where the clean freight transition takes collective form.
Freight Forward 2026 Presenters
John Blackburn AO
Former Deputy Chief, RAAF & Chairman, Institute for Integrated Economic Research
Hon Catherine King MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Reg Development & Local Gov
Mirja Viinanen
CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Australia
Martin Merrick, President, Volvo Group Australia
Julie Delvecchio
CEO, Electric Vehicle Council
John Grimes
CEO, Smart Energy Council
Amanda McKenzie
CEO, Climate Council
Dr Adam Triggs
Partner, Mandala
Jason Price
General Manager, Property and Sustainability, Linfox
Lisa Marsh
CEO, eLumina
Warren Harris
Director, Decarb and Green Product Delivery, Fortescue
Alex Grant
GM of Transport, Australian Renewable Energy Agency
Dr Clare Walter
Health and Policy Researcher, Faculty of Health, Deakin University
Gareth Ridge
Country Director EV, Zenobe Australia
Anthony Headlam
Co-founder & CEO, NewVolt Infrastructure
Rachel Parry
Deputy Secretary of Transport, DITRDCA
Bruce Hardy
Executive Director, Energy Futures Foundation
Eytan Lenko
Chair, Boundless Earth
Elysse Morgan
Freight Forward Moderator, Former Host, The Business, ABC
Martin Stokie
Commissioner, Productivity Commission
Michael Kaine
National Secretary
Transport Workers' Union
Mario Philippou
Executive General Manager Intermodal & Specialised, Fleet and Group Operations Strategy, Team Global Express
Alan Beacham
Chief Supply Chain Officer, Woolworths Group & Managing Director, Primary Connect
Daniel Bleakley
Co-CEO, New Energy Transport
Tim Washington
CEO, JET Charge
Monday 30 March, 2026 | 10am-5pm
Registration & Coffee from 9:15am
The Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra
Event Info
Freight Forward 2026 is a curated leadership summit bringing together senior decision-makers across freight, energy, infrastructure and government to accelerate low-emissions road transport.
Attendance is complimentary, and places are limited. Submit a request to attend so we can shape a balanced, outcomes-focused room. If selected, you’ll receive a formal confirmation and event information.
Themes
Improving freight productivity
Energy security and sovereignty
How zero-emissions technologies can lower operating costs, reduce downtime and improve freight efficiency.
Reducing reliance on imported diesel by shifting freight to domestically produced electricity, hydrogen and low-carbon fuels.
Future Made in Australia
Easing cost-of-living pressures
Building local manufacturing, supply chains and skilled jobs across vehicles, fuels, infrastructure and maintenance.
Lowering freight costs across the economy, with flow-on benefits for consumers, regions and long supply chains.
Cutting emissions & improving health
Scaling zero-emissions freight
Reducing freight emissions while improving worker safety and cutting harmful air and noise pollution.
Moving beyond pilots to put the next 10,000, 100,000 and one million zero-emissions vehicles on the road.
Why Attend
-
Help guide the decisions that will determine Australia’s freight standards, infrastructure priorities, and investment frameworks for decades.
-
From fleet operators and manufacturers to policymakers and unions, hear directly from those already proving that clean freight works.
-
Connect with decision-makers across energy, logistics, and government. The people building the next generation of Australia’s freight system.
Don’t miss
Freight Forward 2026
Join senior leaders across freight, energy, infrastructure and government for a focused day of practical pathways, policy clarity and real-world case studies.
Monday 30 March, 2026| 10am-5pm
The Great Hall, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT