By Michael Chesterman

One adjudicator walks into the bar and asks for 10 shots of the establishment’s finest single malt scotch. The bartender sets him up, and the adjudicator takes the first shot in the row and pours it on the floor. He then takes the last shot in the row and does the same.

The bartender asks, “Why did you do that?”. The adjudicator replies, “Well, the first shot always tastes terrible, and the last one always makes me sick!”

Yes, adjudicators are smart, but they are also human.

Several other adjudicators attending a construction industry conference have decided…

By Michael Chesterman

I am unapologetically a big supporter of adjudication. In a previous article entitled Adjudication is ‘simply the best’, I explained the reasons for arriving at such a position, namely:

By Michael Chesterman

If we are honest, when significant changes come that will disrupt the status quo of how we do things, most of us just put our heads in the sand and hope it all goes away.

I know for a fact that many Head Contractors, in particular, have wished the new QLD State Government Project Trusts regime away because of the very considerable responsibilities, added costs and risks it imposes on them.

The fact of the matter is Trusts are not going away, something I made clear in an article entitled Trusts are a reality. …

By Michael Chesterman

Before people criticise me for using the word ‘woke’ in this heading, I would like to explain what woke means to me.

Woke implies an awakening to social issues.

I recognise that woke may mean different things to other people because of the way it is employed these days when many social issues are discussed. However, woke has a particular meaning to me and I have fashioned this article around this view.

I believe that for too long industry parties have represented themselves in a very narrow, conservative, and circumspect manner. …

By Michael Chesterman

I published this article almost 3 years ago and I have decided to republish it without making any significant changes aside from updated market valuations for other industry disruptors.

Why?

Because I despair that the construction industry in Australia still has not embraced innovation of a significant nature to beat off an Amazon type, considerably cashed up and highly motivated ‘invading’ competitor.

Helix hosts a series of events revolving around providing insight into the innovations of the construction industry. The Helix Construction Innovation Series consists of seminars given by leading experts in the construction industry. During these seminars…

By Michael Chesterman

Since the tabling of the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Bill on 22 August 2017, I have written many articles on the significant SOP reforms contained in this Bill. The center piece of these reforms is the establishment of trust accounts, where progress payments and retentions are held in trust for the protection of subcontractors.

It should be noted that since the tabling of the above Bill, the trusts regime has been the subject of major changes. In two previous articles, I outlined in considerable detail all of the trust changes that have been affected and…

By Michael Chesterman

By Michael Chesterman

I am writing this article in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD). The theme of IWD this year is Choose to Challenge and that is an invitation I want to personally meet. I cannot begin to talk about the construction industry without acknowledging the horrific events of the last several weeks coming out of our most important and significant institution, namely the Federal Parliament. These events have left me upset and angry but I have to say, not surprised.

I am incapable of fully appreciating how hateful, abusive, discriminatory and prejudicial actions and assaults against women by…