HIA names new national president

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has announced that its current national vice president and director, Simon Norris, has been elected as the association’s new president, replacing Pino Monaco.

Mr Norris’ ascension to national president follows 20 years at the HIA holding multiple roles, including Queensland executive committee member, Queensland vice president and president, national service committee chair and national director.

In his first formal address at HIA’s National Conference in Perth, Mr Norris commended his predecessor for his “commitment, energy and outstanding contribution to the national board and to the HIA membership more generally”.

The incoming national president added that Mr Monaco would be an ongoing contributor to the HIA through his position on its national board as “immediate past president”.

“His knowledge and experience will serve the board well as we approach the challenges and opportunities ahead,” Mr Norris said.

The new national president said he was looking forward to working with association members to drive improvements in areas such as planning schemes, red tape, finance and housing affordability.

Earlier this month, the association praised the new Minister for Housing Michael Sukkar’s focus on boosting affordable housing supply on surplus Commonwealth land.

“Improving housing supply needs to include the delivery of more homes in each part of the housing continuum – that means both public and private housing needs to increase,” HIA’s chief executive of industry policy, Kristin Brookfield, said.

“Thinking strategically about what these [Commonwealth-owned] sites can deliver, either through public housing or subsidised affordable housing, makes great sense.

“Providing a clear and efficient pathway to deliver much-needed housing on these often unique sites is clearly a priority for the minister.”

[Related: HIA commends new housing minister’s focus on supply]