I am excited to work with the sector to build trust in the community that the homes they invest in will support their aspirations, their hopes and dreams.
Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti MLA
I have worked across a number of sectors, and particularly enjoyed working with the disability sector, where I saw the stark contrast in housing – highlighting a chronic shortage of housing that meets the needs of people with disabilities or other limitations in their mobility. A decade after the voluntary universal design guidelines were produced by Livable Housing Australia, only about 5% of Australia’s housing stock is accessible.
It’s been a difficult, few months for many women.
During my time with Community Housing Canberra, I learnt about the need to ensure that spaces are designed in a way that has people at the centre. I learnt that connecting with local communities always delivered better outcomes, and people who live in places understand the way streets and suburbs work.
The shocking revelations about the appalling actions in our Federal Parliament has sparked a national conversation about the treatment of women in the workplace. This conversation has recognised the particular challenges faced by women working in male dominated industries – politics is one, but of course, building and construction is another. A key reflection from this national conversation is the importance of female leaders supporting each other, working together to confront challenges and coming together to share their stories in the hope that it might be helpful in someone else’s journey.
My time as a community member on ACAT also provided rich experience around the human impact of housing design. I saw first-hand the consequence of people with low incomes living in older, very inefficient housing. As we know all too well, good homes are critical to the wellbeing of people.
Given this, I am delighted to share a bit about me and how I arrived in the position I am in today.
While these experiences have been extremely diverse, they have been immensely helpful in developing an understanding about the relationships between housing and people, and how houses directly improve the lives of people, particularly the more vulnerable members of our community.
I am a bit of a novice in the political sphere, having only recently been elected to the Legislative Assembly, accepting the big, unexpected job of being a Minister.
The construction industry should feel a great sense of pride and satisfaction in building homes that meet the needs and desires of our community.
While this was somewhat daunting - and yes, believe me was accompanied by a dose of imposter syndrome - I did it because timing is never perfect and because it is important to have diversity in our leadership roles.
I am excited to work with the sector to build trust in the community that the homes they invest in will support their aspirations, their hopes and dreams.
I take comfort in the fact that I took on Ministerial roles after some very significant life experience.
I believe that we are all united in a common endeavour to build a better Canberra – one in which everyone has a place to call home that is safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable.
MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS EDITION 2 2021
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