Building Tomorrow

Jemma Stewart, Executive Vice President of Contract Management at Webuild in Australia, brings extensive experience across legal, commercial and project roles with tier-one contractors. Joshua Saunders, Principal Lawyer, Construction and Operations at ACEN Renewables, has previously worked in-house at Lendlease and as a partner at an international law firm. Nicole Derry, Head of Legal at Hansen Yuncken, brings more than 15 years of experience in construction, infrastructure and dispute resolution. 

In this conference panel, moderated by Catherine Williams from the ADL Team, the panellists explore the challenges of managing risk and delivering Australia's major construction and infrastructure projects. They discuss the limitations of traditional contracting models, the difficulties of allocating risk between principals, contractors and subcontractors, and the importance of trust and collaboration when projects encounter challenges. The conversation also examines dispute resolution boards, joint venture relationships, project resets and alternative contracting models, highlighting opportunities to improve project planning, communication and long-term project outcomes.

Resources and links:

Jemma Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-stewart-796a6051/  

Joshua Saunders on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-saunders-lawyer/  

Nicole Derry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-derry-16b6bb1a/  

Catherine Williams on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catwilliams81/  

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.

This episode is part of a special series exploring AI in the construction industry.  

David Porter is the CEO and co-founder of Octant AI, a company applying predictive AI to improve decision-making and financial certainty in project-based organisations. A civil engineer by background, David has spent more than three decades leading major infrastructure and capital programmes, founding and scaling consulting businesses, and advising government and private-sector organisations on complex project delivery. His work sits at the intersection of project management, probability and artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on helping organisations better understand and manage uncertainty. 

In this episode, David shares his journey from project management and infrastructure into AI and explores why the construction and project industries have been slow to adopt a technology that could fundamentally change how decisions are made. He explains the difference between predictive, generative and agentic AI, why organisations should think about relying on AI rather than trusting it, and how probability-based models can provide a more dynamic view of cost and time outcomes. David also explores systems thinking, paradigm shifts and the potential for AI to act like a "Google Maps" for projects—continuously analysing data, identifying early warning signs and helping teams take action before problems become costly. 

Resources and links:

David Porter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-porter-27a64613/  

Octant AI: https://octantai.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.

Owen Hayford is a strategic legal and commercial adviser specialising in infrastructure, with more than 25 years of experience across leading Australian and international law firms and a Big4 consulting firm. As Principal of Infralegal, Owen provides strategic advice across the infrastructure sector and draws on his experience in complex public and private projects, as well as his expertise as an Accredited Mediator, Dispute Avoidance Board Practitioner and Collaborative Contracting specialist. 

In this episode, Owen explores how the settings established at the beginning of a project can influence relationships, risk, decision-making and ultimately the outcome. He discusses the role of lawyers in helping project teams make better decisions before disputes arise, how dispute avoidance boards can keep issues from escalating, and why traditional approaches to risk allocation do not always produce the best results. 

Resources and links:

Owen Hayford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenhayford/  

Infralegal: https://www.infralegal.com.au/  

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.

Chris Larkin is Managing Director of Secretariat and has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. A chartered civil engineer with a law degree and deep arbitration qualifications, Chris has been frequently appointed as a planning expert witness and has acted as an assistant expert witness on delay and quantum matters across projects around the world. His experience spans engineering, construction, dispute resolution and expert evidence, giving him a unique perspective on why major projects succeed or go wrong. 

In this episode, Maona speaks with Chris about the common issues he sees behind construction disputes, from rushed design and tender periods to scope gaps, interface issues, poor record-keeping and insufficient planning. He explains what expert witnesses actually do when analysing delays and disputes, why proactive project leadership can make such a difference, and how early advice can help teams identify and resolve problems before they escalate. Chris also explores the role of different contract structures, adjudication and alternative dispute resolution, the potential impact of AI and technology on dispute resolution, and the lessons he believes the construction industry still needs to learn.

Resources and links:

Chris Larkin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-larkin-5b9531a/  

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.

This episode is part of a special series exploring AI in the construction industry.  

Muriel Demarcus is the founder and CEO of Marsham Edge, a Singapore-based consultancy focused on helping infrastructure, engineering and energy organisations unlock value from AI. She brings more than 30 years of experience leading major infrastructure programmes and digital transformation initiatives across Europe, Australia and Asia. Her background spans engineering, mathematics and commercial law, combining deep project delivery expertise with a practical approach to emerging technologies. 

In this episode, Muriel shares her journey from infrastructure executive to AI entrepreneur and introduces her team of AI agents, designed to work more like digital colleagues than traditional software. She explains why traceability and reproducibility are critical when AI is being used for high-stakes engineering decisions, and how secure, air-gapped AI can bring intelligence to sensitive data without sending the data to the AI. Muriel also explores the future of engineering decision-making and how AI can help detect early warning signs of high-consequence events, including lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, while reinforcing why engineering judgment remains more important than ever.

Resources and links:

Muriel Demarcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muriel-demarcus-a8165b2/  

Marsham Edge: https://marshamedge.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.

This episode is part three of a special three-part series exploring culture in the construction industry. Across the series, we unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sector, including mental health, workforce sustainability, diversity, leadership, and the evolving expectations of construction workplaces.    

Michelle Turner is a Professor at RMIT University whose research focuses on construction workers' health and wellbeing, women in construction, and student resilience. With a background as a project professional before entering academia, Michelle has authored extensive research on workplace wellbeing, co-authored a book on health and wellbeing in the construction industry, and played a key role in evaluating the Australian Culture in Construction Taskforce pilot projects designed to improve workplace culture across major construction projects. 

In this episode, Michelle explains how the Culture in Construction Taskforce is transforming construction by tackling excessive work hours, improving mental health, increasing workplace flexibility and creating more inclusive environments for women. She discusses the evidence behind the pilot projects, why a five-day work week can improve productivity without increasing costs, the systemic barriers preventing women from entering and remaining in construction and why creating mentally healthy workplaces requires changing how work is designed—not simply expecting workers to become more resilient. 

Resources and links:

Michelle Turner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-turner-05915b2a/  

RMIT University: https://www.rmit.edu.au/profiles/t/michelle-turner  

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.

Dawna Wright is the Senior Managing Director and Head of Australia Forensic & Litigation Consulting at FTI Consulting and a highly regarded forensic accountant with more than 25 years of experience in auditing, forensic accounting and expert witness work. Having built her career across Big Four firms before specialising in forensic accounting, Dawna regularly assists lawyers, regulators and tribunals in complex commercial disputes, including major construction litigation. 

In this episode, Dawna explains the unique role forensic accountants play in construction disputes, from quantifying loss and damage to working alongside delay experts and quantity surveyors to provide independent expert evidence. She shares practical advice on how lawyers can better brief forensic accountants, discusses the importance of collaboration during expert conclaves and joint reports, and clears up common misconceptions about expert witnesses. The conversation also explores how AI is improving document analysis without replacing expert judgement and why closer collaboration between legal and finance teams is essential for construction companies to manage compliance risks and avoid costly disputes.

Resources and links:

Dawna Wright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawna-wright-43758415/  

FTI Consulting: https://www.fticonsulting.com/experts/dawna-wright  

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.

Andrew Chapman is the CEO of the Queensland Major Contractors Association, representing the companies delivering Queensland’s largest infrastructure projects, including roads, rail, energy, and major civil works. With over 30 years in the engineering and construction sector, Andrew brings deep insight into how Australia’s major projects pipeline is evolving and what it will take to deliver it. 

In this episode, Andrew unpacks the scale and complexity of Queensland’s $127 billion infrastructure pipeline and what it means for delivery across the next five years. He discusses the key constraints facing the industry, including productivity decline, workforce shortages, supply chain limitations, and approval delays. The conversation also explores the need for more collaborative contracting models, better risk allocation between clients and contractors, and improved procurement practices to reduce disputes and improve certainty. Andrew also highlights the growing role of technology, robotics, and smarter work design in lifting productivity, as well as the importance of addressing industry culture, mental health, and burnout to retain and attract workers. 

Resources and links:

Andrew Chapman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-chapman-30711216/ 

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.

Bronwyn Weir, Managing Director of Weir Legal and Consulting and co-author of the Building Confidence Report and Associate Professor Dr Matthew Bell, Co-Director of Studies at the Melbourne Law School, join the conversation to unpack major reforms reshaping Victoria’s residential building system. Both bring deep expertise in construction law and regulatory design, with a focus on how building regulation impacts consumers, practitioners, and industry accountability. 

In this episode, Bronwyn and Matthew explore the drivers behind Victoria’s building reforms, including past system failures, combustible cladding, and weaknesses in regulatory oversight. They discuss the transition from the Victorian Building Authority to the new Building and Plumbing Commission, the introduction of first resort insurance, expanded rectification and enforcement powers, and the new building system objective focused on health and safety. The conversation also examines whether these reforms will meaningfully improve outcomes, shift industry behaviour, and rebuild trust in the construction sector. 

Resources and links:

Bronwyn Weir on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwyn-weir-3076671a/  

Matthew Bell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bell-b69a2a7/  

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.

This episode is part two of a special three-part series exploring culture in the construction industry. Across the series, we unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the sector, including mental health, workforce sustainability, diversity, leadership, and the evolving expectations of construction workplaces.  

Rita Zhang is an Associate Professor at RMIT University and a leading researcher in construction health and safety. For more than a decade, she has worked closely with industry to better understand the factors that influence safety performance, worker wellbeing, and organisational culture across construction projects.

In this episode, Rita shares insights from several major research projects, including improving communication between apprentices and supervisors, examining women's experiences on male dominated construction sites, and exploring how subcontracting arrangements can influence safety outcomes. She also discusses the growing role of mental health in workplace safety, the potential of AI to support risk management, and how the Safety and Health Innovation Network (SHINE) is helping industry and researchers work together to address emerging challenges.

Resources and links:

Rita Zhang on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-peihua-zhang-50089255/ 

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.