FROM THE CEO

We’re proud to represent you

Rebecca Casson CEO

It’s difficult to write a message to anyone these days — be it a magazine foreword or an SMS — that doesn’t make some reference to the ways COVID-19 has affected the course of our lives. In Victoria, at the time of publication, many of us are several weeks into Stage 3 and Stage 4 restrictions, which launched daily tasks by Master Builders Victoria and members alike in interpreting and clarifying the restriction specifics to remain productive while also protecting the lives of every Victorian. I am so impressed with your ability to cope with adversity in doing the important work you do. Our team constantly reports back your determination to get the answers you deserve so that you can keep your businesses and our state economy afloat, albeit at a slower pace than we’d like. We have worked tirelessly with the government to get the answers to your questions and suggested workable solutions when answers were in short supply. When I speak to the media on your behalf (which has been incredibly frequent lately) I often remind them the people in our industry care deeply about their clients and the communities they serve. And every time I think I’ve said that perhaps a little too often, I’m given another reason to remind readers and the television audience of that important fact. Master Builders Victoria, with the co-operation of other employer associations and unions, took early action by working with the government to keep our sector open and developing proactive safety guidelines. But you, our members, made it work. The coronavirus may not discriminate, but you certainly have in heeding the plethora of safety messages. And I’m very pleased to report our sector has only a fraction of the cases compared to other industries. That is a genuine achievement, and I congratulate you. Keep up the good work. It is precisely the sort of action that will help our industry prepare for the time — soon, we hope — when it helps lead our state out of financial distress and resume normal operations once again. Our team took quiet pride in seeing an article in the Australian Financial Review in August, in which our sector was credited by Victorian barristers for an outstanding performance in lobbying for members. The article states: “The work of the Master Builders illustrates, in our view, the kind of advocacy work that the bar should have done from very early on….It is difficult to resist the conclusion that we have been out-lobbied and outmanoeuvred by other sectors.” These are tough times for all, of course, but how nice it is to see that others appreciate the productive momentum of the building and construction industry and its enormous contribution to the Victorian economy. Lobbying is one thing, but you are the ones who give our voice meaning — and we are so proud to represent you all. Please continue to stay well and safe.