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VBA Board

The VBA Board was established on 1 July 2013 under section 200 of the Building Act 1993.

A board of commissioners is responsible for the governance and strategic management of the VBA to ensure its effectiveness as a regulator.

The key responsibilities of the Board include:

  • setting the VBA’s direction and priorities
  • establishing performance criteria and monitoring performance against those criteria
  • overseeing delivery of the VBA’s objectives and functions
  • establishing appropriate and effective financial governance and oversight arrangements, including the regular review of the effectiveness of those arrangements
  • overseeing the VBA’s systems for internal control, risk management, auditing and legal compliance
  • selecting and appointing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  • establishing strategic policies for the VBA, subject to any delegation of this responsibility to the CEO.

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Planning. For information about the terms of appointment for VBA board members, visit Public Board Appointments Victoria.

The Board meets at least six times each year.

The Board is made up of the following Commissioners:

Justin Madden's career includes 15 years in the Victorian State Parliament, having held seven Ministerial portfolios within successive Victorian Labor Governments across 11 years including as Minister for Planning from 2006 to 2010.  He retired from Parliament in 2014.

He is also a registered Architect who operated his own practice prior to entering Parliament.

Kelly Humphreys is a non-executive director and accomplished financial services and risk management professional with executive experience across the public and private sectors in Australia and New Zealand. She has held the roles of Chairman and Company Secretary and is a current director of the Accident Compensation Conciliation Service and Latrobe Health Services.

Kelly has held senior executive roles, including with Aon, Allianz and Liberty Financial. As General Manager – Government with the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority she led the delivery of risk services and advice to the Victorian public sector.

Kelly holds a Master of Management and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Gillian Sparkes AM is an expert in environmental management, governance, public sector management and stakeholder engagement. Among other roles, Dr Sparkes is the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability in Victoria.

Thu-Trang Tran is the CEO of Volunteer West and has cross-sector experience in government, universities and NGOs, including the Department of Justice and the Oxfam-Monash Partnership.

Murray Coleman OAM is the Head of Development Projects ANZ at Macquarie Capital. Mr Coleman has more than 30 years of expertise gained in the infrastructure, property and construction industries.

Simon Weir is a barrister with more than thirty years’ experience in personal injury and insurance litigation. He has worked as a Partner of Slater and Gordon and was a Senior Legal Counsel for the Victorian Workcover Authority.

Cladding Committee

The Cladding Committee supports the work of the VBA Board in monitoring performance of the State-wide Cladding Audit (SCA) program, its compliance with regulatory requirements and policies, enforcement action for practitioners associated with, but not limited to the SCA and effective risk management, ensure lessons are learnt, and that these are shared to help prevent future systemic building system failures.

People and Culture Committee

The People and Culture Committee is responsible for oversight of and advice and recommendations to the VBA Board on organisational culture and values, and policies and initiatives for the development of people capability, inclusion and diversity, equity and well-being of staff, to ensure they are consistent with and support the VBA’s people and capability strategy.

Regulatory Operations Committee

The Regulatory Operations Committee provides assurance to the VBA Board that the VBA is fulfilling its core regulatory functions as required under s197 of the Building Act 1993 (Vic); considers and makes recommendations to the VBA Board on the VBA’s service delivery and operational models in line with the VBA’s risk appetite, and VBA and government policy; and considers and makes recommendations to the VBA Board on the implications and impact of legislative, policy and regulatory reform on the VBA’s approach as a regulator.

Remuneration Committee

The Remuneration Committee supports the VBA Board to meet its responsibilities under section 203 of the Building Act 1993 (Vic) to employ or remove a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and determine the terms and conditions under which the CEO will be employed; undertakes performance planning and performance review with the CEO; undertakes contract negotiations with the CEO as required, and review as necessary the remuneration of and employment of the CEO; and maintains oversight of executive employment, remuneration and performance arrangements at the VBA.

Research and Innovation Committee

The Research and Innovation Committee is responsible for oversight of, and advice and recommendations to the VBA Board on research matters to ensure the VBA Board is performing its responsibilities under section 197(i) of the Building Act 1993 (Vic) relevant to the VBA’s research function to: conduct and promote research relating to the regulation of the building and plumbing industries in Victoria; and report on the outcomes of research in its report of operations under the Financial Management Act 1994 (Vic).

Risk, Audit and Finance Committee

The Risk, Audit and Finance Committee is responsible for independent oversight in its review and assessment of the effectiveness of the VBA’s systems and controls for financial management (including asset management), risk management, performance and sustainability.