Anna Neelagama has resigned as chief executive officer of the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA), but will continue her push to help solve Australia’s housing crisis with Master Builders ACT.
Ms Neelagama will start as Master Builders ACT CEO in September, leaving the top job at the REIA behind after four years at the helm.
Speaking after the announcement, Ms Neelagama said she had mixed emotions.
“Leaving a job you love, there’s always mixed emotions,” she said.
“But I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and staying in the sector.”
Ms Neelagama said there had been numerous highlights during her time at the REIA, with one of the biggest coming last year when the Australian Greens called for rental reforms.
“There’s been so many things and we’ve been on such a journey at REIA but some key highlights include, last year, running the rental freeze campaign and national cabinet just ruling that out unequivocally,” she said.
“There was also the 2022 election, when we were able to secure no changes to negative gearing and CGT (capital gains tax), and also the work on really important programs like the First Home Guarantee, which has enabled so many Aussies to access their first home.”
Ms Neelagama said she was also proud of the REIA’s work in having the Australasian Auctioneering Championships (AUSTROS) signed in both Auslan and New Zealand sign language, along with building a wider national partnership with Expressions Australia to make real estate transactions more accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing.
She said she was also pleased Real Estate House had been redeveloped and they had worked on many commercial projects with members.
“And in particular, I think one of the strengths of the REIA is that we’ve always been backed by the very best evidence and research,” Ms Neelagama said.
“We did so many incredible reports in my time at REIA, whether it was the Short Stay Accommodation report, or the 20-year retrospective on housing affordability, I’m so proud of the work we achieved there.
“All of that information is practitioner-led data that’s accessed by the Reserve Bank and treasury.
“So, yes we give agents a voice in Canberra, but we also back it with the best evidence, and I do want to say there’s a fabulous research team at REIA that supports that work.”
REIA President Leanne Pilkington said the REIA had gone from strength to strength under Ms Neelagama’s leadership and, while everyone wished her all the best, they were sad to say farewell.
“She had incredible contacts within government and a great understanding of the political process, which was invaluable for us,” Ms Pilkington said.
“Anna also just gets stuff done and has an enormous capacity to get through a lot of work and simplify sometimes complicated things.
“She has ensured that politicians of all colours and government agencies are clear on the drivers of the current housing market and elevated the professionalism and image of REIA across the board.
“Whilst we are sad to say farewell to Anna, we are delighted she will remain in the housing space contributing to the critical national issue of housing supply and affordability.”
Ms Neelagama said she was looking forward to starting at Master Builders ACT and continuing to tackle Australia’s housing issues.
“It’s really doubling down on housing supply again from the coalface of building new homes,” she said.
“In March this year only 28 new residential properties were approved in the ACT and that’s inadequate when you look at how the ACT and the bigger region is growing.
“But the Master Builders is also a massive training organisation and last year they trained more than 10,000 students, and they’re going to be a critical part of closing the skills gap in building and construction, which means more homes on the ground, higher quality homes on the ground and that’s great for builders and it’s obviously great for agents long-term.”
MBA ACT President, Frank Porreca, said the MBA ACT was delighted to have Ms Neelagama as its new CEO as it moved into a phase of sustainable growth.
“Anna has been selected following a comprehensive, competitive and nationwide recruitment process,” he said.
“She is well placed to lead the MBA ACT as we approach our 100 year celebrations in 2025.”
Ms Neelagam said she was also looking forward to leading the MBA ACT in the countdown to the ACT and Federal Elections.
“With rising business costs and the housing supply and affordability crisis in the ACT, now more than ever MBA ACT is determined to support members across all aspects of their business including advocacy, training, legal and workforce planning,” she said.
Ms Pilkington said the REIA was on the hunt for a new CEO, and transition arrangements would be announced in the coming weeks.
“Understanding Canberra, the political process and having contacts in Canberra, I think is the key,” she said.
“They will be surrounded by people with real estate experience, but it’s that Canberra-centric knowledge that we really need.”
