As Consult Australia amplifies members' voices through the Construction Industry Leadership Forum (CILF) and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Futurespace conference, both events emphasise the need for collaboration and courageous leadership.

The Construction Industry Leadership Forum (CILF) convened in Brisbane on 24 October 2024 with more than 80 leaders. This exclusive platform was established in 2017 by the Australian Constructors Association in partnership with the NSW and Victorian governments. It has since expanded to include the federal, Queensland, South Australian and West Australian governments. Consult Australia was invited to join CILF in 2024 to represent the consultant’s voice.

“Having a seat at the table is crucial,” says Consult Australia’s National Policy Manager Kristine Banks. “To address productivity challenges and drive innovation through the infrastructure industry, we need to ensure consultants are central to the conversation.”

Key insights emerged from three focused panels:

Courageous change across the Tasman

Meanwhile, Kristy Eulenstein, Head of Policy and Government Relations, represented Consult Australia members at ACE New Zealand’s Futurespace conference in Christchurch. This year’s theme of ‘courageous change’ echoes across the Tasman, Kristy says.

ACE New Zealand’s Futurespace conference in Christchurch.

“Consult Australia businesses of all sizes work ‘across the ditch’. But businesses working in Aotearoa New Zealand are facing a diminishing pipeline. There was much discussion about how to navigate disruption, reshape businesses and drive innovation.” Businesses are exploring diversification strategies, including entering new sectors and adopting ‘software as a service’ models. 

With her risk hat firmly in place, Kristy says “contractual settings in New Zealand are preferable to those in Australia, with more frequent use of the ACE NZ standard contract without significant ‘special conditions’.”

However, there are concerns that the contractual environment is changing. “Some New Zealand delegates noted they were seeing an increase in the Design and Construct model which makes it more difficult for the consultant to access the client and resolve issues as they arise.”

Looking ahead, Consult Australia will launch Unravelling Risk in 2025. This paper will explore how the Design and Construct model has changed “to a design, construct and litigate model” and how Australian governments can break the cycle.

Both CILF and Futurespace underscore the need for courageous leadership, Kristy adds. “Consult Australia is committed to ensuring our members' voices shape a future founded on transparency, trust, fairness and collaboration – so we can build a stronger, more resilient industry together.”