Queensland Building and Construction Board
Part time chair and members
Information package
Closing date for applications: Friday 20 September 2013
Contact Person: Stephen Long (07) 3224 4106; email:
Overview
The Queensland Government is seeking expressions of interest to fill the part time roles of chair and members of the Queensland Building and Construction Board. Candidates with a broad range of professional and practical experience relevant to the building and construction industry as well as persons with relevant legal, financial and insurance expertise are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have experience either at very senior organisational levels of a significant organisation or as a member of a board of a significant organisation.
Background
On 2 August 2012, the Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion that the Transport, Housing and Local Government Committee of the Queensland Parliament inquire and report on the operation and performance of the Queensland Building Services Authority in its regulation of the building and construction industry, including the maintenance of proper standards in the industry.
Report No. 14 into the Inquiry into the Operation and Performance of the Queensland Building Services Authority 2012 was tabled in the Queensland Parliament on 30 November 2012, and the Queensland Government’s Response to the Inquiry including a ‘Ten Point Action Plan’ was tabled in May 2013.
The Government's Response, including the 10 Point Action Plan is available here. The Parliamentary Inquiry Report is available from the Queensland Parliament website.
About the Queensland Building and Construction Commission
Queensland has taken a major step towards establishing a new building regulator with the Queensland Parliament passing the Queensland Building Services Authority Amendment Act 2013 to allow the creation of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).
The creation of the QBCC marks the beginning of the biggest change to the way the building industry is regulated in more than 20 years and is an important first step in the Government’s Ten Point Action Plan to reform building regulation in Queensland. The operations of the QBCC will be overseen by the new Queensland Building and Construction Board, which will report directly to the Minister for Housing and Public Works.
The QBCC will replace the Queensland Building Services Authority (QBSA) and will be responsible for licensing, dispute resolution and the Home Warranty Scheme. The QBSA 2011-12 Annual Report is available here.
In 2011/12, the QBSA had total revenue of $154 million. The value of its Queensland Home Warranty Scheme claim approvals was $37.6 million after premium receipts of $67.0 million for the 73,256 policies that it wrote for works valued at approximately $8.13 billion. Most importantly however, it regulates Queensland’s most significant industry.
At 30 June 2012, the QBSA had 350 staff working in nine offices located in Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Mackay, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Townsville.
The number of licensed builders and trade contractors in 2011/12 totalled 84,592.
The QBCC is anticipated to be operational by the end of the year. For more information about the Commission and the new board, please visit http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/construction
The role and functions of the board
The key role of the Queensland Building and Construction Board is to lead the Queensland Government’s reform agenda through the newly created Commission, by driving innovative regulatory strategies to reinvigorate the building and construction industry. It is envisaged that the Chair and the six board members will be closely involved in the Commission’s daily activities, including:
§ Implementing the Government’s 10 Point Action Plan to improve building industry oversight
§ Deciding the strategies and operational, administrative and financial policies of the Commission
§ Ensuring the Commission performs its functions and exercises its powers in a proper, effective and efficient way
§ Providing guidance and leadership to the Commissioner and Commission staff
§ Establishing key performance measures with the Commissioner
§ Providing advice to the Minister for Housing and Public Works
§ Consulting with the building industry and consumers.
The QBCC and the Board will be responsible for administering the following legislation:
§ Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991
§ Building and Construction Industry Payments Act 2004
§ Subcontractors’ Charges Act 1974
§ Domestic Building Contracts Act 2000.
For full details of the functions of the Board, refer to s11 of the Queensland Building Services Authority Amendment Act 2013, available at: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2013/13AC038.pdf
About the members
Appointees to the Board will have very senior management experience in a significant organisation and/or previous significant organisation Board experience, and must demonstrate their ability to contribute to the effective and efficient performance of the Commission’s functions.
The Minister will highly regard persons who can bring a broad range of professional and practical experience to the Board relevant to the building and construction industry, as well as persons with relevant legal, financial and insurance expertise.
Board appointees will be experienced in driving innovative reform, capitalising on innovative alternatives and will be able to anticipate and effectively address long term and strategic risks.
The Chair will be a decisive leader who achieves results under pressure and will share a sophisticated understanding of political, social and economic factors affecting the industry with other Board members. Appointees will apply effective judgement and read the environment and cues from others to facilitate influence and drive reform.
Appointees will drive a performance culture, focussing on accountability and transparency, while exhibiting a high level of ethics and probity.
Appointment of Board members will be made by the Governor-in-Council (refer to s212(2) of the Act).
Your commitment
Appointees will be required to attend Board meetings, as well as be available outside of the normal Board meeting structure.
While the schedule of meetings shall be determined by the Chair, it is anticipated that formal meetings to transact Commission business may occur at least fortnightly. From time to time, special meetings may be held to deal with specific issues, such as the adoption of Commission reports for tabling. The frequency of these meetings may be higher during the formative period of the Commission.
The Board reports directly to the Minister for Housing and Public Works and the Commissioner reports to the Board.
The Chair will be responsible for guiding the Board members and the Commissioner in relation to the discharge of their duties in accordance with the Queensland Building Services Authority Amendment Act 2013.
While the Board is not a company specifically bound by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), persons appointed to the Board are required to perform duties that parallel the common law duties to which government Board members must adhere.
Conditions of Appointment
The Board will operate from Brisbane.
Board members (including the Chair) are appointed for a term of no more than 3 years and all roles are part time.
Section 14 of the Act provides that the part time Chair and members are to be paid the remuneration and allowances decided by the Governor-in-Council.
A level of remuneration commensurate with appointees’ qualifications and experience will be discussed.
How to Apply
To be considered for a position on this Board, please email an expression of interest, which includes whether you wish to be considered for the position of chair, or member, or either position, as well as a current curriculum vitae (nominating at least two referees) to
Please note that if you are successful in being shortlisted for one of the Board positions, you will be required to complete a personal particulars form, consent to a criminal history check, and advise of any statutory appointments or public sector employment currently held (refer to Attachments A, B and C).
Appointment Process
Governor-in-Council approval is required for all Board appointments, on the recommendation of the Minister for Housing and Public Works.
Additional information
The Queensland Building Services Authority Amendment Act 2013 is available from the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2013/13AC038.pdf
Further information regarding the functions and structure of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and the Queensland Building and Construction Board is available on the Department of Housing and Public Works website: http://www.hpw.qld.gov.au/construction/QBSA-Review/
Queries regarding the advertised position may be directed to Stephen Long on telephone (07) 3224 4106 or to
Privacy
Expressions of Interest for the advertised positions and any accompanying information will be treated as confidential and will only be used for purposes connected with your application for appointment.
Attachments
Attachment A - Personal particulars form
Attachment B - Consent to a criminal history check
Attachment C - Statutory appointments or public sector employment currently held