New board for construction watchdog

Queensland’s new building industry watchdog will soon be a reality with a governing board set to take the reins from December.

Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the creation of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) represented the start of the most significant reform of the way the industry was regulated in more than 20 years. 

“The construction industry is one of the four pillars of the Queensland economy that we promised Queenslanders we would grow,” Mr Mander said.

“This is why we need to have the best building regulator in the country.

“We have appointed people of the highest calibre to the board, people who come with extensive experience in the legal, financial and insurance sectors as well as the building and construction industry.

“Board members have been selected based on their previous and current board experience, as well as their business skills and proven ability to drive reform.”

Mr Mander said the QBCC would replace the controversial Building Services Authority (BSA).

“It’s disappointing that Labor chose not to consider any reform in the industry during its entire time in office, despite how important the sector is to Queensland,” he said.

“We are correcting that by creating this Commission.”

Mr Mander said the QBCC would be tasked with implementing the Government’s 10 point action plan to overhaul building regulation and drive growth and development in an industry which remains one of the largest employers in the State.

“The QBCC will be responsible for licensing, dispute resolution and the Home Warranty Scheme, as well as taking disciplinary action against contractors for defective work,” he said.

“I congratulate each of the board members on their appointment and I look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

Biographies

• Phil Kesby (Chair): Mr Kesby has held senior roles with Thiess, The Buildev Group and Clough Australia and is a registered builder in Queensland and New South Wales. He is a member of the Queensland Urban Utilities Board and the Chairman of the Salvation Army Brisbane Red Shield Appeal.
• Jennifer Robertson (Deputy Chair): Ms Robertson is a lawyer and consultant, providing specialist corporate governance advice to companies throughout Australia.  Ms Robertson holds a number of directorships, including Chair of MAP Financial Planning Pty Ltd and is a member of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Council and QUT Alumni Boards.
• Robin Fardoulys: Mr Fardoulys is a construction manager, member of the Australian Building Codes Board and the Chairman of the Australian Construction Industry Forum.  Mr Fardoulys is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Urban Development, Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering at QUT.
• Len Scanlan:  Mr Scanlan is a member of the Queensland Urban Utilities Board and is the Chairperson of the Queensland Urban Utilities Audit, Finance and Risk Board Committee. Mr Scanlan was the Auditor-General of Queensland from 1997 to 2004 and the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Audit Office. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Internal Auditors, Australian Institute of Company Directors and Institute of Public Administration Australia. He also holds a range of board positions.
• Chris Cunnington: Mr Cunnington has held senior management roles with Suncorp for nearly 30 years in the areas of commercial and consumer banking, insurance, corporate governance, legal and risk.
• Robert Hutchinson: Mr Hutchinson is the state manager of a company that manufactures specialised building products and is on the board of Sunsuper Pty Ltd. He also holds directorships for various building and construction companies.  Mr Hutchinson was previously on the board of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland.
• Martin Lee: Mr Lee is a company director, business owner and business advisor based in Cairns, with extensive knowledge of the Cairns and Far North Queensland business environment. Mr Lee is a registered builder, a licensed real estate agent and was formerly on the board of the Queensland Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 

[ENDS] 26 November 2013

Media contact: Martin Kennedy 0407 643 998