David Basheer, president of the AHA|SA, has been elected unopposed as the new national president of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA).
The third-generation South Australian hotelier takes the reins from Victoria’s David Canny, who has been in the national leadership role since late 2022. Basheer was elected as National President unopposed, with long-serving AHA NSW president Scott Leach as the new national Senior Vice-President. The Northern Territory’s Paul Palmer will serve as Vice-President, with Tasmanian hotelier Ben Carpenter continuing in his position as Secretary/Treasurer of the AHA.
AHA national CEO Stephen Ferguson has also renewed his contract with the Association.
Basheer paid tribute to the hard work of his predecessor – who, as President of AHA Victoria, will remain on the board and national executive.
“David Canny is not only a great publican and a great leader – he is also a great human being and I would like to thank him for his tireless work over the last few years as National President,” stated Basheer.
“As a third-generation hotelier who grew up at the Kalangadoo Hotel, I live and breathe hotels. It’s an honour to be elected National President and I’ll be working closely with the board and the CEO Stephen Ferguson on the challenges our industry faces at the Federal level.”
Canny said the South Australian President was the perfect successor.
“David’s depth of experience in the hotel sector is just what our industry needs to keep momentum moving forward at the national level.
“I wish him all the best and look forward to working closely with him.”
Basheer is from a well-known Adelaide sporting family, he is a former president of the Port Adelaide Magpies and a self-described AFL “tragic”.
With his wife, Trina, and son James, he currently runs the Strathmore Hotel, Woodville Hotel and Sailmaster Tavern.