MBV CEO to head up State council

Master Builders Victoria CEO Rebecca Casson has been appointed as chair of the Victorian Government’s Building Industry Consultative Council.

It will be the first time a woman has led the BICC and a statement from MBV hailed the pick as “another first for women in the state’s building and construction industry.”

The BICC was established in 2001 as a high-level forum for discussion between employers, industry associations, unions and government on significant economic and industrial relations issues affecting the State’s building and construction industry.

The group aims to promote an environment that stimulates building activity and job growth in Victoria through good working relations, cultural change, investment, and best practices in the building and construction industry.

MBV President Mark Little congratulated Ms Casson on her appointment.

“This is another historic moment for MBV and our sector to see a woman appointed to a key leadership position in the building and construction industry,” Mr Little said.

“Rebecca demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic that she can bring different parties together to ensure our industry stayed safe and largely remained open.

“Her appointment to the BICC will continue to change the culture in the building and construction industry.

“This appointment also re-affirms the Victorian Government’s commitment to building gender equity in our sector.”

Ms Casson said that she was proud to be appointed by the Victorian Government as chair of the BICC.

“I thank the Victorian Government for trusting me to lead the BICC over the next three years,” she said.

“I take this opportunity to thank my predecessor in this role, Peter Parkinson, for all his hard work and support in guiding our industry through the worst of the global pandemic.”

Under Mr Parkinson’s leadership, the BICC has undertaken several significant initiatives, including overseeing the Victorian Government’s new Building Equity Policy.

This plan aims to achieve a greater representation of women in the State’s building and construction industry.

Ms Casson said that this is a critical time for the State’s building and construction industry as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and that she looks forward to working with the Victorian Government and the BICC to ensure that the sector continues to lead our State’s recovery.

Minister for Industrial Relations, Tim Pallas, said Ms Classon had helped shepherd the sector through the challenges of the pandemic.

“Rebecca Casson will perform a crucial role as Chair of the Building Industry Consultative Council – her insight and leadership will be vital as the sector moves forward,” he said.

“As a Government we’re delivering diversity and gender equality in construction with the Building Equality Policy in place and now, a woman will lead the BICC.”