AAVT CEO and ACIF Board member Mark Liversedge represented AAVT at the latest Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) Member Meeting in Brisbane, joining representatives from across the construction, design, consulting and building services sectors.
The meeting considered a range of national policy and industry issues, including access to Australian Standards, National Construction Code (NCC) modernisation, fire testing capability, procurement and contracting practices, infrastructure delivery and industry productivity.
Access to Australian Standards
Members discussed the recently announced arrangements for free access to Australian Standards and issues arising from ACIF’s engagement with Standards Australia.
ACIF is continuing to advocate for access arrangements that remain current as legislation and the NCC change, and for access not to be restricted by a practitioner’s nominated discipline. ACIF has also called for government to monitor the effectiveness of the new access arrangements over time.
AAVT has previously reported on ACIF’s engagement with Standards Australia and will continue to monitor developments relevant to members.
National Construction Code (NCC) modernisation
Members discussed the Australian Government’s NCC Modernisation Project and ACIF’s proposed response to the Interim Report consultation.
ACIF’s advocacy priorities include a regularly updated NCC that comprehensively addresses areas including design, safety and products, together with nationally consistent implementation of NCC updates.
Fire testing capability
ACIF provided an update on its advocacy regarding the future of Australia’s fire testing, research and technical assessment capability.
Following representations concerning the future of CSIRO’s North Ryde Fire Technology Laboratory, the Australian Government advised that CSIRO had secured a lease extension enabling services at the facility to continue until June 2027 while consultation on its future continues.
ACIF is continuing its engagement with CSIRO and has sought further engagement with the Australian Government on the issue.
Procurement and industry productivity
Procurement and contracting practices remain an area of focus for ACIF, with members discussing longstanding issues relating to contracts and risk and potential future engagement with the Australasian Procurement and Construction Council (APCC) and other national bodies.
The meeting also included discussion with the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning on the State’s infrastructure program, including its focus on productivity and opportunities to improve procurement practices.
Next ACIF meeting – Parliament House
ACIF’s next major member meeting will be held at Parliament House in Canberra in November, providing a further opportunity for member associations to engage directly with parliamentarians on priorities affecting Australia’s construction and built-environment sectors.
AAVT’s participation in ACIF provides an important channel for ensuring the perspectives and interests of the vertical transport industry are represented within wider national industry discussions.