Building Tomorrow – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Adam Perl is a construction partner at Pinsent Masons and a leading voice in construction law reform.

In this episode, Adam unpacks the structural drivers behind Australia’s high infrastructure and construction costs. The conversation explores the industry’s productivity challenges, the consequences of lowest-price tendering, and why Australia’s unit costs are among the highest globally.

Adam also examines how extensive amendments to standard contracts contribute to complexity, inefficiency, and disputes. He discusses whether greater contract standardisation could improve productivity and enable better outcomes for public infrastructure investment, alongside the governance and institutional barriers that have slowed reform.

Resources and links:

Adam Perl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-p-8a922a14/
Pinsent Masons website: https://www.pinsentmasons.com/

Connect:

The Society of Construction Law Australia website: https://www.scl.org.au/
The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/society-of-construction-law-australia/

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.

This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blake Frost is a Partner at HopgoodGanim, where he leads the firm’s Construction practice.

In this episode, Blake explores why late payment remains at the heart of many construction disputes. He also unpacks the Queensland security of payment regime, explains how extended timeframes and jurisdictional error challenges have shifted adjudication away from its original purpose, and examines the growing intersection between construction law and insolvency. Blake also shares practical reform ideas - from faster adjudication to rethinking payment in arrears - and reflects on how smarter payment practices could improve project outcomes across the industry.

Resources and links:

• Blake Frost on LinkedIn

Connect:

• The Society of Construction Law Australia website
• The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.

This show is produced in collaboration with SoundCartel. Visit soundcartel.com.au for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Porter is an Anthropologist and Culture Change Consultant who has extensively studied the Australian construction industry. Kevin has spent his career studying human behaviour and providing leaders with the information they need to make choices, grow their businesses, and improve workplace culture.

In this episode, Kevin explains the concept of culture from an anthropological perspective and describes his observations from his time embedded in the construction industry. He outlines how companies often have contradictory stated principles and practices, which can lead to significant physical and psychological harm for the employees, as well as major issues for the business. Kevin also emphasises that any industry can change its culture, but it has to put in the work.

Mental health support:

This episode contains discussions about suicide and mental health.

In the event of an emergency, dial 000.

For other mental health support, please visit your local hospital emergency department or contact the following support services:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Resources and links:

• Kevin Porter on LinkedIn

Connect:

• The Society of Construction Law Australia website
• The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dado Hrustanpasic is a Partner at Holding Redlich and an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School, where he lectures in construction dispute resolution. Dado has over a decade of experience in major projects and infrastructure disputes and is dual-qualified in law and civil engineering.

In this episode, Dado explains the evolution of major project delivery in Australia and highlights the common triggers, resolution strategies and preventative measures for project disputes. He also discusses the impact of proper liability, the rise in complex, multi-party disputes, and why a flexible, multi-disciplinary approach is essential for resolving conflicts and disputes.

Resources and links:

• Dado Hrustanpasic on LinkedIn

Connect:

• The Society of Construction Law Australia website
• The Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year at the annual Society of Construction Law Australia conference in Brisbane, we caught up with panellists and moderators from around Australia to discuss the biggest issues in the industry today.

Mia Timpano is a former journalist and final-year law student who describes herself as a “construction law enthusiast”.
Harris Ashton is a Legal Research Officer at VCAT and the winner of the 2024 student Brooking Prize for his paper ‘Illegality and Quantum Meruit in Residential Construction Law.’
Michael Bleby is the Deputy Property Editor at The Australian Financial Review and has written extensively about property and construction for more than a decade.

In this episode, Mia discusses how lawyers can incorporate AI into their workflows to work smarter without compromising the fundamental skills necessary for success. Harris explains how illegal contracts leave homeowners vulnerable in the event of problems and what needs to be done to prevent people from agreeing to dodgy deals. Finally, Michael shares his thoughts about how to deliver the necessary infrastructure for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Resources and links:

• Michael Bleby on LinkedIn
• Harris Ashton on LinkedIn
• Mia Timpano website

Connect:

• Society of Construction Law Australia website
• Society of Construction Law Australia on LinkedIn

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast series are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Society of Construction Law Australia (SoCLA). The content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, professional, or other advice. Listeners should consider their own circumstances and seek appropriate advice from qualified professionals before acting on any information contained in this podcast.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Stynes Address is the Society of Construction Law Australia’s annual high-profile lecture related to the practice of law and the construction industry.

In 2024 the Stynes Address was given by Gabrielle Trainor AO. Gabrielle Trainor has had a diverse career across the construction industry, but one of her most important roles has been as chair of the Construction Industry Culture Taskforce.  This taskforce is a collaboration between the Australian Constructors Association and government agencies with the aim of making a step change in the culture of the industry through the government procurement process.

In her Stynes Address Gabrielle Trainor AO provided insight into the key issues facing the construction industry and practical insight into how those issues are being addressed by the Taskforce through the development of a Culture Standard.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Stynes Address is the Society of Construction Law Australia’s annual high-profile lecture related to the practice of law and the construction industry.

This is the inaugural address given in 2023 by SoCLA’s patron, Justice Katie Stynes, after whom the address has been named.

In 2023 Justice Stynes talked to us about the procedural reforms she is leading from her role as judge in charge of the Technology, Engineering and Construction List of the Victorian Supreme Court.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Based on the V601 v Probuild case decided in the Victorian Supreme Court in December 2021, Ben McLeod presented this talk in Melbourne in February 2023.

Ben was part of the team who acted successfully for Probuild in this matter and outlines a range of complex issues, including how Principals and Superintendents should ensure that a contractor’s claims are assessed fairly; the consequences that can flow from the Superintendent's independence having been compromised; and the Court’s approach to ‘constructive acceleration’ claims.

Ben McLeod Partner at Piper Alderman, Melbourne. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-mcleod-99a0b951/

Ben is a strategic advisor across all stages of the project lifecycle, from procurement and contract administration through to dispute resolution and avoidance. He has particular expertise in the strategic management and resolution of complex disputes, having acted for principals, contractors and consultants on major infrastructure projects in Australia and internationally. He has assisted clients across a range of industries, including transport, utilities, property development and power (renewable and non-renewable).

In 2022, Ben was listed by Doyle’s Guide as a recommended ‘back end’ Construction and Infrastructure lawyer in Victoria. He was also named as a ‘Rising Star’ by Doyle’s Guide in 2021.

This podcast is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. You should always obtain legal advice about your specific circumstances. The views expressed in these podcasts are the speakers' own. They should not be taken as recommendations of the Society of Construction Law Australia.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stepping back from a process to see the complex interactions happening between all of the parties can lead to insights that could prevent potentially catastrophic consequences. The failure of a pedestrian bridge at Florida International University led to 6 fatalities. In this talk, Sean explore the failures in the design, peer review and construction phases of the project, and the need for investigations to look into organisational causes of failure as well as the technical causes.

Sean Brady, Managing Director, Brady Heywood Pty Ltd https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-brady-11a95427/

If you’d like to learn more about complexity then be sure and check out Sean’s Simplifying Complexity Podcast at: Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/simplifying-complexity/id1651582236 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3SfqApqNW3wNXcg2E7etij

This podcast is for reference purposes only.  It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.  You should always obtain legal advice about your specific circumstances.  The views expressed in these podcasts are the speakers' own.  They should not be taken as recommendations of the Society of Construction Law Australia.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the Australian industry’s Standard Form broken? If so, why and can it be fixed? The training and learning involved to build confidence in a new industry contract should be considered when making changes. Scott Alden presents his talk “When opportunity knocks: Is NEC4 the Answer to Australia’s Broken Standard form ?”

This talk was voted by attendees as one of the Top 3 highlights of our national conference “Getting Risk Right”, held in Hobart, Tasmania in May 2022. Scott Alden, Partner - Construction Team (Sydney), HWL Ebsworth Lawyers https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-alden-5884432b/

HWL Edsworth Lawyers https://hwlebsworth.com.au/ The Australian independent commercial law firm of choice for market leading expertise and exceptional value.

This podcast is for reference purposes only.  It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such.  You should always obtain legal advice about your specific circumstances.  The views expressed in these podcasts are the speakers' own.  They should not be taken as recommendations of the Society of Construction Law Australia.

This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.