When One Woman Dies Every Nine Days: Australia’s Hidden Pandemic
Today, I write with urgency about a crisis that has reached pandemic proportions: domestic violence in Australia is claiming more lives, destroying more families, and costing more resources than COVID-19 ever did. Yet our national response remains woefully inadequate to the scale of this emergency. The statistics are staggering. Seventy-eight women were killed by gender-based […]
Mental Health: The Silent Crisis on Australian Construction Sites
As someone who has spent nearly three decades doing the hard yakka on Australian construction sites, including plenty of FIFO stints, the landscape has been observed to change dramatically. The industry is renowned for its grit, the enduring mateship among workers, and the incredible feats of engineering that shape our nation. Yet, beneath the surface […]
Part Two: The Silent Crisis on Australian Construction Sites
The Australian construction industry builds our cities, but beneath the scaffolding lies a crumbling foundation: a mental health epidemic claiming lives at six times the rate of workplace fatalities. While hard hats and harnesses protect workers from physical falls, there’s no safety gear for the invisible falls—suicides driven by isolation, stigma, and unrelenting pressure. This […]
Effective Leadership: Key Insights for Leaders and HR Professionals [2025]
The workplace of 2025 is in flux, shaped by rapid technological advancements, evolving employee expectations, and the lingering effects of a global shift toward hybrid work. According to Gallup’s research, organizations that fail to adapt to these changes risk disengagement, attrition, and declining productivity. Leadership is no longer just about setting targets; it’s about fostering […]
The Hidden Female Toxicity in Modern Workplaces
We often hear about workplace toxicity in the context of overt aggression or patriarchal structures. But there’s another, quieter form of dysfunction that’s rarely discussed—narcissistic feminism, where feminist ideals are twisted into tools for control rather than equality. This isn’t about feminism itself, but rather its distortion by individuals who weaponize social justice language to […]
Sexual Harassment in Australia Workplaces 2025
Sexual harassment in Australian workplaces is not just about inappropriate touches or lewd comments – it’s a systemic issue that corrodes organizational culture from within. The legal definition under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 frames it as any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that causes offence, humiliation or intimidation to a reasonable person. But […]
CFMEU Corruption: Crime, Cover-Ups & Govt Complicity (2025)
The CFMEU’s Dual Crisis – Protector or Predator? The Construction, Forestry, Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) once stood as a fortress for Australia’s blue-collar workers, its foundations built on the bedrock of fair wages, safe worksites, and collective bargaining. For decades, it wielded its influence to shield laborers from exploitation, negotiating hard hats and hazard […]
Five Years of Closing Australia’s Gender Pay Gap: Progress & Setbacks
Australia’s Gender Pay Gap (GPG) is like a slow-leaking pipe: progress drips in, but the damage lingers.
What Makes a Good Leader? The Core of Leadership [2025]
Leadership is more than a title—it’s about inspiring action and fostering trust. While bravery and innovation matter, the foundation of effective leadership lies in understanding what followers need. Gallup’s latest study, “Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want,” was unveiled at the World Governments Summit. Drawing on surveys from 52 countries, this comprehensive report builds upon […]
The DEI Debate—The Case for Women in Male-Dominated Fields
The global conversation around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has reached a pivotal moment in 2025. While progress has been made—particularly in industries like tech and finance—male-dominated sectors such as mining, construction, and utilities continue to lag. In Australia, women represent just 12% of construction workers and 15% of mining employees, according to the Workplace […]
Mental Health: Effective Ways of Dealing with it as a Tradie [2024]
Mental health is a critical issue in the Australian construction industry, particularly among tradies. The demanding nature of the work, combined with the traditional stigma surrounding mental health discussions, has led to alarming statistics about mental health challenges in this sector. This guide aims to provide practical strategies for tradies to manage their mental health, […]
Building Confidence: Effective Ways of Defeating Self-Doubt [2025]
Ever had that moment when you’re standing at the edge of a construction site, blueprint in hand, and suddenly feel like maybe you’re not cut out for this? Trust me, you’re not alone in this hard-hat zone of uncertainty. As someone who’s spent years watching construction professionals navigate the concrete jungle of self-doubt, I can […]
7 Ways to Accelerate Action for Women in Australian Construction
As we approach International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, there’s a bit of confusion swirling around this year’s theme. A quick Google search might leave you scratching your head, as two different themes seem to be competing for attention. On one hand, the website internationalwomensday.com highlights “Accelerate Action” as the theme, while the United Nations has […]
Government Funding in Construction: A Critical Analysis of Impact vs Intent
In September 2024, EPIC launched one of the most comprehensive Freedom of Information (FOI) investigations into construction industry funding across Australia. We submitted 26 FOI requests to federal and state departments, spanning education, employment, infrastructure, women’s affairs, and industry sectors. The response pattern alone tells a compelling story about transparency in government spending
The Importance of Safety in Construction: Finding Your Voice
In construction, we often think of safety in terms of hard hats, steel-capped boots, and meticulously crafted Safe Work Method Statements. These are, without a doubt, essential elements of keeping our workforce protected. But as I’ve come to realize through my years in this industry, true safety encompasses so much more than physical protection. It’s […]
Climate Change Anxiety And Burnout Risk In Renewable Energy Construction
The rapid expansion of renewable energy construction brings hope in the fight against climate change, but it also brings unique challenges. Workers in this industry often face climate change anxiety as they witness firsthand the consequences of environmental degradation. The demanding nature of renewable energy projects can lead to burnout risks among dedicated professionals striving […]
Blueprint for Success to Empower Women in Construction
“Blueprint for Success to Empower Women in Construction” is a dynamic podcast dedicated to empowering and celebrating women in the construction industry. Join us as we explore inspiring success stories, share valuable insights, and discuss the challenges and triumphs of women in construction. This podcast provides a blueprint for women looking to break barriers, shatter […]
A Look at the Australian Construction Culture [2023]
The Australian construction industry is undergoing a significant cultural shift. The industry is actively working to create a more sustainable and inclusive environment characterized by long hours, poor mental health outcomes, and a lack of diversity. This transformation is driven by a combination of economic and social factors and aims to address critical issues that […]
Breaking Barriers: Navigating Sexual Harassment in Australia’s Construction Industry as a Woman in 2024
Men have long dominated Australia’s construction industry. And now, women are increasingly claiming their rightful place on construction sites, wielding hammers and hard hats with as much skill and determination as their male counterparts. In recent years, there has been a significant push for gender equality and diversity. While progress has been made, however, the […]
The Urgent Need for Culture Change in Australian Construction
The construction industry plays a critical role in shaping the built environment of a country. In Australia, it is a booming industry that is forecasted to continue growing in the coming years. However, behind this facade of progress lies a pressing issue that demands immediate attention – the need for a culture change within the […]
Building a Healthier Future: Improving Wellness in Australian Construction
The construction industry is known for its physically demanding work and high-risk environments. Unfortunately, this can take a toll on the health and well-being of construction workers in Australia. However, there is a growing recognition of the importance of prioritizing wellness in this industry. Building a healthier future in Australian construction is not only beneficial […]