MEDIA RELEASE

23 July 2023

AUSTRALIAN OWNED CONTRACTORS CONTINUES TO DRIVE LASTING REFORM

Today’s appointment of Australian Owned Contractors’ (AOC) CEO, Brent Crockford, as a member of the National Construction Industry Forum demonstrates the seriousness in which the Albanese Government is taking to drive lasting reformacrossAustralia’s civil construction industry.

AOC’s appointment alongside five other representatives of constructors, and six trade union representatives, will ensure Mid-Tier and Australian owned civil contractors will continue to play a vital role in how current and futureAustralian governments invest in major infrastructure projects; ensuring that procurement decisions are made alongside a focus on growth within ourdomestic industry and the economic benefits that tender design,and tender award,create as a legacy.

The Forum is designed to find common ground on issues relevant to improving Australia’s construction sector, with a focus on safety, productivity, skills and training, workplace relations, industry culture, diversity and gender equity.

Upon Minister Burke’s announcement of the twelve member Forum, Mr Crockford reminded industry representatives of the importance of diversity amongst Australia’s head contractors for our largest civil infrastructure projects.

“The Forum will harness the goodwill and cooperative spirit to tackle issues that impact our economic, social and environmental well-being. Central to this will be the impactthatprocurement decisions have on the sustainabilityand developmentof our locally-owned industry and the promotion of excellence,not just in project outcomes, but in industry culture,”Mr Crockford said.

“The Federal Government’s Buy Australian Planwill assist and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of our industry by providing an incentive for states and territories to agree to a set of rules that give local Mid-Tier companies a fair go on major infrastructure projectsespeciallyby breaking contract sizes down to below $500m in value.”

Mr Crockford acknowledged the shared challenges facing Australia’s economy and the impact these have on investment decisions for social infrastructure.

“Australian owned Mid-Tier contractors stand ready to collaborate and cooperate with the Forum to jointly progress these priority issues. In doing so, AOC will promote quick wins available to Australian Governments –ensuring more taxpayer dollars remain in Australia to support the growth of local businesses and sovereign capability in our civil contracting industry,” he said.

Mr Crockford said AOC welcomed this unique opportunity to represent Mid-Tier contractors.

MEDIA CONTACT: ceo@australianownedcontractors.com.au