ASIC Regulator appointed as Queensland Building and Construction Commissioner

The Queensland Regional Commissioner for the Australian Securities and Investment Commission has been appointed to lead the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni MP said that he was pleased to endorse the recommendation to appoint Mr Brett Bassett to the role of QBCC Commissioner.

“Mr Bassett will bring a wealth of experience to the QBCC from his time at ASIC, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading and Queensland Police,” Mr de Brenni said.

“Mr Bassett has significant expertise with regulation of the construction industry having chaired the inaugural Federal Government Building and Construction Roundtable and led ASIC’s response to the Senate Inquiry into Insolvency in the Building and Construction Sector,” he said.

Mr de Brenni said that Mr Bassett’s appointment comes at an important time for the QBCC as the organisation focusses on the challenges of non-conforming building products, security of payment, insolvency and certification standards.

“The QBCC has a vital role to play in making sure that Queenslanders continue to have confidence in the construction industry and I expect the QBCC to be a professional organisation of the highest standard.

“Mr Bassett’s vast skills and experience will ensure that the QBCC is responsive to the needs of all Queenslanders.

“I look forward to working with Mr Bassett as we continue to grow Queensland’s construction sector, which is worth $52 billion a year and employs over 220,000 people.”

Mr Bassett holds a Bachelor of Education, a Masters of Business Administration, is a fellow of the Government Institute of Australia, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Mr Bassett will commence his role on 30 May 2016.

Mr Brett Bassett

Brett Bassett is currently the Queensland Regional Commissioner for ASIC, having held this position since 2011. He is also ASIC’s Senior Executive of Small Business Compliance and Deterrence.

Brett has a regulatory background, having held positions with Qld Police, NSW Department of Fair Trading, the ACCC and ASIC. Brett also has eight years’ experience working in the forensic consulting industry.

Brett led ASIC’s team focused on the business risks in the building and construction sector, and the development of ASIC’s response to the Senate Inquiry into Insolvency in the Building and Construction Sector, including giving evidence to the Inquiry.

He has developed and implemented ASIC’s small business strategy with a specific focus on education, engagement and regulation of the building and construction sector, and chaired the inaugural Federal Government Building and Construction roundtable that now occurs annually.

Brett has strong partnerships across Government, the Building and Construction Industry and other agencies. Through his role at ASIC, Brett has developed a strong partnership with QBCC, in particular, ASIC’s role in mitigating illegal Phoenix activity.

He holds a Bachelor of Education, a Masters of Business Administration, is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Certified Fraud Examiner.

His strong customer focus, leadership and governance capabilities will continue the transformation of the QBCC and will guide the business through immediate challenges, includings security of payments, insolvencies and non-conforming Products.

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