VIC/TAS President’s comment – September 2025
What is the point? What are we trying to achieve? How do we have the most impact? How do we protect consumers, improve conditions for the profession, and help to create a sustainable, high quality built environment? These are the questions that drive the ACA advocacy agenda in Victoria and around the country. Paul Viney, ACA National President and longtime VIC/TAS President, shares his views on the importance of strong advocacy in a time of significant legislative change.
Advocacy is an important focus for the ACA. Our members need a centralised voice that speaks the same language as them, understands what the real issues are, and conveys their perspective to government in a meaningful, impactful way. I think that’s something that we’ve been doing very effectively.
In Victoria, we have been fortunate to have the wise counsel of former politicians Ted Baillieu and Justin Madden, and ex-high-level government official, Peter Lochert. Over a number of years, they havex given us invaluable advice – not only on how to have a strong voice, but also on building meaningful connections within government and having a genuine impact. It’s important that you’re not just seen as a complainer or an impediment to progress. Positive, constructive advocacy is critical.
A key focus for us is to collaborate with other groups working in the built environment to maximise our impact. Open, honest conversations are essential, even with groups holding contrary standpoints. We are keen to identify common views and work together for better outcomes. We don’t always agree, but where we do, we try to align our efforts. We have built strong connections in Victoria with the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors, the Housing Industry Association and Consult Australia, among others.
We have also found it useful to make connections with politicians who may share our concerns and ambitions, and appreciate our expertise and knowledge of the construction industry. We don’t favour one political party or individual over another. We build relationships where we can to make a difference in terms of decision-making and outcomes.
Recently, the Victorian Advocacy Subcommittee (including Brendan Shannon and Emily Gilfillan) dedicated significant time reviewing the Domestic Building Contracts Amendment Bill. We examined the proposed legislation in detail and put forward several recommendations to strengthen protections for homeowners and better support small builders. By taking this approach of constructive critique, the ACA can continue to build strong relationships with key decision-makers. We see our role as vital in advocating for a sustainable building industry – one that restores consumer confidence and ensures long-term resilience. For us it’s about fairness to all – to the architect, the builder and particularly the consumer.
The NSW Design and Building Practitioners Act has been a game-changer in that state, with a particular focus on quality control. We have heard from architects, who report that the reforms have led to more work, higher-quality buildings, fewer defects, and comprehensive project documentation. Though the reforms have their detractors, the DBP Act has fundamentally improved the quality of building construction in NSW. Our NSW Advocacy Subcommittee, led by Steve Pearse, has been actively engaged in a Parliamentary Review, which will strengthen this legislation even further. We need to see the same approach adopted here in Victoria. While new guidelines are in development at the moment, guidelines alone don’t carry the weight of legislated, mandated requirements. There is a significant opportunity to improve how projects are delivered across Victoria.
Some may ask why advocacy matters so much. It matters because we hold expertise that allows us to influence outcomes beyond our immediate interests. By taking positions that protect consumers, strengthen the industry, and promote fairness, we can champion better quality buildings and better project outcomes. This is at the heart of the ACA’s role – to champion these causes. Looking beyond what affects us as architects day to day not only benefits the broader community but also raises our profile, positions us as key stakeholders, and creates better opportunities for the future.