Engineers Australia was invited to attend the recent Building Minister’s industry dialogue, a meeting that brings together federal, state and territory government ministers for building and construction. 

The group of ministers make up the Building Ministers Forum (BMF), which is responsible for policy and regulatory issues affecting Australia’s building and construction industry. 

The BMF meet to discuss harmonisation of building regulations and standards, collaboration on compliance and enforcement and other policy issues affecting the sector. The theme of this meeting was cooperation. 

Engineers Australia’s Executive for Policy and Public Affairs, Damian Ogden attended the meeting to table Engineers Australia’s key asks which centred on consistency of building regulations, registration of engineers and the importance of the profession to Australia’s net zero targets. 

"The forum were keen to hear from Engineers Australia on the importance of nationally consistent registration for engineers and I was able to outline how consistent registration could provide consumer confidence.” 

Registration features in two of the recommendations in the Building Confidence report, established by the BMF to deliver better outcomes for Australia through building reforms. 

“The ministers were also very interested in addressing building related skills and the industry’s contribution to productivity. I highlighted specifically how important engineers are to delivering on our net zero targets, especially in the built environment,” Mr Ogden said. 

Industry dialogue meetings allow bodies like Engineers Australia to have direct access to BMF members to discuss issues.  

During the meeting, Minister Ed Husic MP, Federal Minister for Industry and Science spoke of the importance of the building sector in Australia highlighting that construction makes up around seven per cent of GPD.  

Other state ministers in attendance spoke positively about more collaboration and national consistency across the building industry. 

Engineers Australia will continue an open dialogue with the BMF and each relevant building minister across the country to advise on building reform and engineering registration. We will also continue the conversation on skilled workers and their crucial link to our net zero targets in the built environment, drawing on the expertise of our members. 

Members of the BMF include: 

• The Hon Ed Husic MP, Federal Minister for Industry and Science 
• The Hon Anoulack Chanthivong MP, NSW Minister for Better Regulations, Fair Trading and Building 
• The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, Victorian Minister for Planning 
• The Hon Mick De Brenni MP, Queensland Minister for Public Works and Procurement 
• The Hon Sue Ellery MP, WA Minister for Commerce 
• The Hon Nick Champion MP, SA Minister for Planning 
• Then Hon Andrea Michaels MP, SA Minister for Consumer and Business affairs 
• The Hon Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Tasmania Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs 
• The Hon Rebecca Vassarotti MP, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction 
• The Hon Eva Lawler MP, NT Minister for Planning and Logistics 

Pictured: left, Engineers Australia Executive for Policy and Public Affairs, Damian Ogden and right, Hon Mick De Brenni MP, Queensland Minister for Public Works and Procurement.