The REIQ has highlighted the need for compulsory professional development (CPD) for the real estate profession, at its annual gala the REIQ Awards for Excellence, on Saturday, 6 February at Brisbane City Hall.

REIQ Chairman Rob Honeycombe addressed almost 600 guests, including Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, State Minister for Housing Michael de Brenni, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, John-Paul Langbroek, and Shadow Attorney-General Ian Walker.

“This is an important issue that contributes significantly to consumer protection,” Mr Honeycombe said.

“The purchase and sale of property is often the most significant transaction many Queenslanders will make and having a highly trained professional facilitate that process is crucial,” he said.

“In early 2014 the Palaszczuk Government gave the REIQ an in-principle commitment to introduce CPD for all real estate professionals.

“Since that time, we have been working closely with the Government to implement this important reform and we are looking forward to bringing it to fruition in 2016,” he said.

“The REIQ would like to see Queensland fall in line with other Australian states and New Zealand where mandatory CPD has already been introduced.”

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the gala was one of the most successful in the organisation’s history, with a record number attending and the continued high standard of excellence from all competitors.

“These awards are evidence that the real estate profession in Queensland is continually striving to raise the bar and become more professional and more successful,” she said.

“In an era when we’re seeing technology take over so many parts of our lives, the real estate profession is proof that technology serves the humans – not the other way around – and it is the human element that sets us apart.

“Real estate, at its heart, is all about people and our members are the best at what they do; the most knowledgeable, the most helpful, the most supportive, and the most dynamic,” she said.

Guests from all over Queensland attended the event, which was hosted by much-loved popular Australian comedian Shane Jacobson (Kenny, The Time of Our Lives).