A team of experts including Judith Hackitt, who led a review into UK building regulations after the Grenfell Tower fire, will convene next year to look at ways to reform Victoria’s troubled construction sector.

Better Regulation and Red Tape Commissioner Anna Cronin will chair the panel. The panellists’ first task will be to set principles to guide the review and identify the key issues to be investigated and addressed during the reform process.

The review will also look at the proposals made by the Victorian Cladding Taskforce last July as well as the ones that have been raised in the Building Confidence report by Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Weir.

“This panel has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is the first step towards delivering the most comprehensive review ever undertaken into Victoria’s building system,” Minister for Planning Richard Wynne said.

“Our building and construction sector underpins much of our growth and economic activity so it makes sense to support this with a modern and effective legislative framework.”

Masters Builders Victoria CEO Rebecca Casson has welcomed the setup of the review panel.

“There is a great deal of work to be done in implementing the recommendations of the Victoria Cladding Taskforce and Building Confidence report,” Ms Casson told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“It’s good to see that the review panel includes some outstanding people from the building and construction industry.”

Stephen Burton, National Deputy Chairman of Engineers Australia Society of Fire Safety, says Ms Hackitt would provide valuable input to the review.

While voicing support for the review, Mr Burton told insuranceNEWS.com.au that “fixing the building industry’s woes is a national issue”.

“This should be conducted on a national basis rather than through piecemeal actions by states and territories independently. I fear duplication and division could result.”