PHOTO: Anna Neelagama. SUPPLIED
Anna Neelagama has resigned as chief executive officer of the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) and will now focus on addressing Australia’s housing crisis with Master Builders ACT. She will assume her new role as CEO of Master Builders ACT in September, leaving the REIA after four years of leadership.
Reflecting on her departure, Ms. Neelagama expressed mixed emotions. “Leaving a job you love always brings mixed emotions,” she said. “But I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead and staying in the sector.”
Ms. Neelagama highlighted numerous achievements during her tenure at the REIA, with a significant milestone being the Australian Greens’ call for rental reforms last year. “One of the key highlights was running the rental freeze campaign and having the national cabinet unequivocally rule it out,” she noted.
She also pointed to the 2022 election as a major accomplishment, where the REIA successfully lobbied against changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of programs like the First Home Guarantee, which has helped many Australians purchase their first homes.
Ms. Neelagama expressed pride in the REIA’s efforts to make real estate transactions more accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing, including having the Australasian Auctioneering Championships signed in both Auslan and New Zealand sign language and building a national partnership with Expressions Australia.
She also mentioned the redevelopment of Real Estate House and the commercial projects undertaken with members. “One of the strengths of the REIA is our reliance on the best evidence and research,” she said. “We produced incredible reports during my time, such as the Short Stay Accommodation report and the 20-year retrospective on housing affordability. This practitioner-led data is accessed by the Reserve Bank and Treasury, giving agents a voice in Canberra backed by the best evidence.”
REIA President Leanne Pilkington praised Ms. Neelagama’s leadership, stating that the REIA had grown stronger under her guidance. “Her incredible contacts within government and great understanding of the political process were invaluable for us,” Ms. Pilkington said. “While we wish her all the best, we are sad to say farewell.”