New Queensland Building and Construction Board

A new board has been appointed to oversee the activities of the state’s building industry watchdog, the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

Minister for Public Works Mick de Brenni said the new board, to be headed by lawyer Michelle James, would continue the transformation of the commission into a customer-focussed and insights-driven regulator.

“The new board brings with it a wealth of leadership and expertise to support the QBCC in implementing the recommendations of the QBCC Governance Review, carried out by Jim Varghese AM,” Minister de Brenni said. 

“It has a crucial role to play in overseeing the financial wellbeing of the industry and there is a clear expectation that it will also properly regulate and support the economic underpinning of a sector that’s critical to the State’s economy.

“Queensland’s building and construction industry directly and indirectly employs around 230,000 people and is worth an estimated $47 billion to the economy annually.”

In line with recommendations of the review, the board has been downsized from ten to seven.

Minister de Brenni said Ms James was the ideal person to be leading the board, having already held the deputy chair role.

“Ms James is a board member of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and a director of Australian Lawyers Alliance, has held a number of respected committee positions within the legal community and holds professional qualifications in business and governance,” the Minister said.

“Ms James and deputy chair John Anderson have extensive combined experience in building and construction, insurance, consumer advocacy and awareness, corporate governance and risk and public sector governance.

“This new board has the right mix of skills, diversity and experience to ensure building standards are maintained and that the industry is safer, fairer and more sustainable.

“This sees them well placed to guide the QBCC through the next phases of reform.”

Minister de Brenni thanked the outgoing board.

“Their expertise has guided the QBCC in overseeing significant nation-leading reforms under the Queensland Building Plan, such as security of payment and non-conforming building product legislation.”

The appointments for incoming board members will run from 1 December 2022 to 20 November 2025.

New Queensland Building and Construction Board

Chair: Ms Michelle James is the former deputy chairperson. Ms James is a board member of Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and a director of Australian Lawyers Alliance. She has held a number of respected committee positions within the legal community and holds professional qualifications in business and governance.

Deputy Chair: Mr John Anderson is a respected and tertiary qualified First Nations elder with extensive board and leadership experience. He is the Executive Director of Pi-CaTS Pty Ltd and board member of Health Consumers Queensland.

Other board members:

Robyn Petrou: Ms Petrou has more than 15 years’ experience as a non-executive director and committee member and over 25 years’ experience as a senior executive in the financial services industry. She is currently a non-executive director with QInsure and Executive Performance Partner with Performance Partners, a business and executive performance firm

Christopher Edwards: Mr Edwards is a member on the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland and holds positions on committees for Racing Queensland and Metro South Hospital and Health Board.

Suzanne Baker: Ms Baker is a non-executive director with Sustainable Timber Tasmania. Ms Baker’s executive career has been as a financial accountant and advisor and now she resides in Airlie Beach.

Colin Cassidy: Mr Cassidy holds positions on the Metro South Hospital and Health Board and has significant board and committee experience. He has had a long public sector career, including several senior executive roles in the Queensland Government.

Meg Frisby: Ms Frisby is a current board member and has been reappointed for another term. She manages Meg Frisby Consulting, a boutique stakeholder relations and business development consultancy that specialises in working with local councils, indigenous organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the legal and building and construction sectors. Ms Frisby has held roles with Townsville City Council and MMG Century Mine and resides in Townsville.

ENDS