Welcome to Country

Aunty Violet Sheridan

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Elysse Morgan — Moderator, Freight Forward 2026
John Grimes — CEO, Smart Energy Council
Bruce Hardy — Executive Director, Energy Futures Foundation

Australia's freight sector is at an inflection point. This session sets the stakes: energy security, Asian competitive advantage, and the urgent case for coordinated action. Our hosts frame what the summit is here to achieve and what can be accomplished together.

Australia’s Diesel Vulnerability: Why Decarbonisation Is a National Security Imperative - Keynote

John Blackburn AO — Former Deputy Chief, RAAF; Chairman, Institute for Integrated Economic Research

Australia holds just 34 days of diesel reserves, and most of our supply passes through contested sea lanes. This keynote examines the connection between freight electrification and the resilience of critical supply chains.

Securing Growth from the Net-Zero Transition - Keynote

Dr Adam Triggs — Partner, Mandala

A first look at the landmark economic roadmap exploring the policy settings, structural barriers and market opportunities shaping Australia's freight decarbonisation.

The Transition is Here - Keynote

Mirja Viinanen — CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Australia

An industry perspective on how the shift to zero-emission freight is already underway and what it will take to accelerate progress.

11:30am - Ministerial Address

Hon Catherine King MP — Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Local Government

An address acknowledging the importance of commercial transport in achieving Australia’s net zero goals.

CEO Conversation: Leading the Freight Transition

Martin Merrick — President, Volvo Group Australia
Mirja Viinanen — CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Australia
Alan Beacham — Chief Supply Chain Officer, Woolworths Group & Managing Director, Primary Connect

Moderator - Elysse Morgan

A conversation between industry leaders exploring what it will take to move zero-emission freight from pilots to mainstream adoption.

Drivers Lead the Charge: Putting Transport Workers at the Centre - Keynote

Michael Kaine — National Secretary, Transport Workers' Union

Drivers will live this transition every day. This keynote explores safer roads, better jobs and a freight future centred around the people who keep Australia moving.

What's at Stake in the Transition? - Panel

Warren Harris — Director, Decarbonisation and Green Product Delivery, Fortescue
Martin Stokie — Commissioner, Productivity Commission
Amanda McKenzie — CEO, Climate Council
Dr Clare Walter — Health and Policy Researcher, University of Melbourne

Moderator - Elysse Morgan

Health outcomes, economic productivity and the promise of a Future Made in Australia. Leaders from policy and industry examine what the freight transition means for Australia.

Accelerator Announcement

Coming soon

What Will It Take to Charge the Nation? - Lightning Round

Daniel Bleakley — Co-CEO, New Energy Transport
Lisa Marsh — CEO, eLumina
Anthony Headlam — Co-Founder and CEO, NewVolt Infrastructure
Gareth Ridge — Country Director EV, Zenobe Australia

Moderator - Alex Grant — GM of Transport, Australian Renewable Energy Agency

Insights from the companies building the infrastructure backbone of zero-emission freight.

How Can We Get the Next 10,000 Zero-Emission Vehicles on the Road? - Panel

Julie Delvecchio — CEO, Electric Vehicle Council
Mario Philippou — EGM Infrastructure and Strategy, Team Global Express
Jason Price — GM Property and Sustainability, Linfox
Tim Washington — CEO, JET Charge

Moderator - Eytan Lenko — Chair, Boundless

Industry and policy leaders examine the practical steps needed to scale clean freight and move zero-emission trucks into mainstream adoption.

Freight Forward Call to Action

Closing Remarks