CCF's newly-appointed National CEO Nicholas Proud has hit the ground running in his first month in the role. Read his update below for more information on what's been on CCF National's agenda recently.
G’day from CCF National
A very busy first month in the role as National CEO of the Civil Contractors Federation.
After many years in built form across many peak bodies such as HIA, Property Council of Australia, PowerHousing Australia and the Construction Industry skills council, it is exciting to be representing our organisation at the federal level here in the seat of Government in our nations capital.
With new staff coming on board in the past week we are now reaching out and engaging with our Federal networks and our State and Territory CCF offices.
A key early engagement was our national Strategy Forum in Canberra with our CCF CEOs and Board in mid-February to consider the short-term priorities and look to our long term strategy to get on with the job.
It is timely to recognise the role that civil needs to play to provide the road, bridge, pipe and initial infrastructure that enables Australian communities, towns and cities.
Civil employment and economic activity hits every town and city in Australia first and we are the lifeblood of community. As a key example, a dollar in affordable housing can’t be made until a dollar in civil has been spent and a key reason that Civil needs to have a greater focus here if the crisis is to be tackled.
Federal President Mick Boyle and I have had meetings up at Parliament House with Local Government and Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain, offices of Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and Skills Minister Brendan O’Connor. Separate meetings with Shadow IR Minister Michaelia Cash, Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget Mackenzie, and Shadow Housing Minister Michael Sukkar. We have met with Federal Treasury and BuildSkills, made site visits to Member projects (Crookwell Wind Farm) and introduced ourselves to many of our Industry Peaks with which we will collaborate. Submissions have been made for the FY2025 Federal Budget, and industry skills incentive scheme submissions are in train.
Engagement at the Federal level will boost the excellent work already undertaken in our States and Territories and we see great opportunity to position civil contractors at the front of the priority list.
In this next period ahead CCF National will be continuing to position our brand and our civil contractor Members at the first principle of creating great communities. With a Federal election increasingly likely in late 2024 we will be working very hard to see greater investment in civil infrastructure, skills funding for the future needs (including energy transition) and look forward to seeing civil contractors at the table where decisions are being made.
I appreciate the well wishes received to date and look forward to working with our national Member base of 2,000 Members in the years ahead.
Kind regards,
Nicholas Proud
