Reflections on 2024
By Jon Davies, CEO, Australian Constructors Association
As 2024 comes to a close, it’s remarkable to reflect on just how much has changed in our industry over the past year. Few could have anticipated the seismic shift brought about by the decision to place the CFMEU into administration—a once-in-a-century event that will undoubtedly shape the future of construction in Australia.
For too long, our industry has been stuck in a winner-takes-all mindset, where one party’s gain often meant another’s loss. This approach has bred inefficiency, mistrust and missed opportunities. But what if we rewrote the script? What if collaboration replaced conflict, and construction became a space where everyone—workers, government and industry—could succeed together?
Foundations and Frontiers
This year, ACA’s Foundations and Frontiers (FF24) forum launched in a bold step toward making this vision a reality. Modelled on influential global summits like COP and Davos, FF24 wasn’t just another conference—it was a turning point. Leaders from across the sector came together, and their insights laid the groundwork for Australia’s first-ever National Construction Strategy (NCS), a plan for transformation.
Innovation and cultural reform
ACA is proud to play a leading role in shaping the NCS, particularly through the Modern Methods of Construction and Innovation stream. But our efforts don’t stop at innovation. We’re equally focused on cultural reform, ensuring the industry is prepared for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Our members have committed to becoming WGEA-certified Employers of Choice by 2028, a goal that highlights our dedication to workplace flexibility and gender equality. Additionally, we’re preparing a campaign to bring more women into blue-collar roles, tackling one of the industry’s most persistent challenges.
Collaboration
Through initiatives like the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce, the National Construction Industry Forum and the Construction Industry Leadership Forum, we’ve proven that collaboration can drive meaningful change. This year, the work on the industry culture standard has shown that even the toughest cultural challenges can be overcome when we work together.
Looking ahead
The path to lasting change is not easy, and it requires consistency. It’s not enough to achieve small wins and then return to old habits. To create a construction industry that reliably delivers for Australia, we must stay the course and resist the temptation to fall back into old, divisive patterns.
As we prepare for 2025, let’s hold the course and continue striving for a stronger, more sustainable future for all. Thank you for your support throughout 2024. Here’s to another year of collaboration and progress.
Read ACA’s 2024 Year in review.
About us:
The Australian Constructors Association is the only representative body for contractors delivering vertical and horizontal construction projects, as well as undertaking infrastructure asset management. Our members construct and service the majority of major infrastructure projects built in Australia every year. Our goal is to create a more sustainable construction industry.
Contact details:
Megan Anderson, Head of Media and Communications
ph: 0475 978 478 / e: megan.anderson@constructors.com.au
