The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has announced the election of its new president, Malcolm Gunning, at its Annual General Meeting held yesterday in Canberra.
With more than 40 years of experience in real estate agency practice, property development and property valuation, Gunning is the immediate past president of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW).
He is also principal of Gunning Real Estate, a Sydney-based property agency and consultancy.
On accepting the role, Gunning thanked outgoing president Neville Sanders who has served in the position for two years.
“Neville has provided excellent stewardship of the organisation since 2014 and during that time he has achieved much in ensuring that our members have a strong national voice,” he said. “On behalf of the board and staff, we extend our sincere thanks to Neville for his professionalism and commitment to the role during an important chapter in REIA’s history.”
With the debate about the taxation of housing and affordability continuing in 2017, Gunning promised that the REIA will continue to push for the retention of negative gearing.
“Its abolition is not the panacea for housing affordability that many seem to think it is. The debate on taxation must be broader and include stamp duty, land tax and value capture.”
Gunning also vowed to improve professional standards in the real estate sector.
“Improving the professionalism of the sector requires a multifaceted approach encompassing higher levels of qualifications, CPD, standard of training including ASQA’s role, accreditation, harmonisation, and working towards membership of the Professional Standards Authority,” he said.
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