Former Labor elder Lindsay Tanner has been named as the new Chairman of the Australasian Railway Association (ARA). 

The former Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Shadow Minister for Transport brings an extensive range of experience to the new role, with ARA CEO Bryan Nye warmly welcoming him to the new role.

“We are very happy to have Lindsay on board as the first independent chair of the ARA, at what is both an exciting and an important time for the rail industry,” Mr Nye said.

Mr Tanner will be the first independent Chairman of the ARA, after current Chair John Fullerton steps down.

“I look forward to working with the industry to support and promote passenger and freight rail across the region” Mr Tanner said.

“A strong rail network brings economic, social and environmental benefits to everyone. It creates communities we would rather live in and it underpins economic growth in our cities and regions”, continued Mr Tanner.