National President’s foreword: Architecture Australia, July 2000

The recent interim findings of the Productivity Commission inquiry have swept over the architectural profession like yet another ‘the end is nigh’ premonition. Certainly the Commission’s draft recommendation could lead to a decrease in architectural standards. However, the inquiry also presents a unique opportunity to redefine our present role, as well as our future role, in the construction industry and the community. Behind these recent events is the underlying view in government that regulation is a negative force in the Australian economy. This is a narrow and short-term view. The RAIA is advocating a more streamlined and unified national regulation system for the profession. The system we propose is the only method of ensuring that standards of quality are achieved and that the community continues to enjoy the benefits that accrue from those standards.
I believe that our response to the Commission’s draft report spells this out clearly and may in fact lead the Commission to amend its recommendation.
The RAIA is the professional body best charged with the responsibility of advancing the interests of the architectural profession. The Productivity Commission has given the RAIA a greater opportunity to provide leadership to our profession through the threat of removing the significance of the State and Territory Boards of Architects.
By its promotion of a set of values for the profession, the RAIA is outlining where the profession needs to place itself in the future. These values give a clear indication to the public of what the profession’s standards and responsibilities are.
It is difficult in one year’s term of office to achieve a simple manifesto of achievements but I am pleased to report to you that much progress has been made on a number of fronts.
For example we have overhauled our disciplinary provisions to make them more relevant to today’s practice while simultaneously adopting internationally accepted standards of ethical behaviour.
By advocating a co-regulatory approach to the Commission we will be able to put those two items into effect to give RAIA architects an added advantage in any future market. We have also improved our position in the construction industry by creating a much closer working relationship with the Master Builders Association through the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding. This has now had tangible results with the imminent agreement on a suite of standard contracts for the industry.
We have further to go.
We now need to resolve the competency issues to allow for a workable articulation into the architectural profession, but most importantly we need to build a more comprehensive public profile in order to establish an ongoing dialogue with the communities we serve as well the politicians.
This will help rebuild the esteem of the profession by providing greater opportunities. My emphasis on leadership is not just for a few. You play the most significant part. You cannot afford to sit back and allow others to engage for you. Leadership begins at the grass roots and that means you must participate in your community activities whether it is a school P&C or a local council. Non-involvement means that when opinions are called for yours may not be heard. And that is to the detriment of the profession we love.

Ed Haysom
National President