The Australian Government amended the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act) to establish the National Construction Industry Forum (the Forum) as an ongoing statutory advisory body.
On this page:
Draft Blueprint for the Future
On 27 March 2025, the Forum released the draft Blueprint for the Future.
The draft Blueprint sets a path to address challenges and create lasting and tangible change within the industry
The Forum's role is to provide advice to Government on a broad range of issues relating to work in the building and construction industry including safety, workplace relations, skills and training, industry culture, diversity and gender equity, and productivity.
The Forum is required to meet at least twice per year.
Members
The Forum is chaired by the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (the Minister), Senator the Hon Murray Watt.
The Fair Work Act provides that the Minister must appoint one or more members with experience representing employees in the building and construction industry and an equal number of members with experience representing employers in the industry, including at least one member with experience representing contractors and one member with experience in small to medium sized enterprises in the residential building sector.
The Forum comprises the following members:
Government
| Position | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Senator the Hon Murray Watt | Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations |
| Member | The Hon Ed Husic MP | Minister for Industry and Science |
| Member | The Hon Catherine King MP | Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government |
Employees
| Position | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Naomi Brooks* | Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union |
| Member | Tony Callinan | Australian Workers’ Union |
| Member | Robyn Fortescue | Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union |
| Member | Steve Murphy | Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union |
| Member | Kristen Reid | Plumbing and Pipe Trades Employees Union |
| Member | Paul Farrow | Australian Workers' Union |
| Member | Zach Smith | Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union |
| Member | Michael Wright | Electrical Trades Union |
Lucy Weber, (Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union), is an approved substitute member for Naomi Brooks until 1 October 2025. – Back to table
Employers
| Position | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Jocelyn Martin | Housing Industry Association |
| Member | Mike Zorbas | Property Council Australia |
| Member | Brent Crockford | Australian Owned Contractors |
| Member | Jon Davies | Australian Constructors Association |
| Member | Oliver Judd | National Electrical and Communications Association |
| Member | Alison Mirams | Independent (formerly of Roberts Co) |
| Member | Nicholas Proud | Civil Contractors Federation Australia |
| Member | Denita Wawn | Master Builders Australia |
Terms of Reference for the National Construction Industry Forum
The Terms of Reference for the National Construction Industry Forum were endorsed by the members of the Forum at its first meeting on 20 October 2023.
