Bob Day Profile/Bio

The contribution of Bob Day to the Australian community extends far beyond his business interests as one of Australia’s leading home builders. His strong interest in youth employment, homelessness, urban planning, federalism and industrial relations has been reflected in a wide range of appointments which include:

• National President of the Housing Industry Association

• Inaugural President of Independent Contractors of Australia

• Director of the Centre for Independent Studies

• Member of the National Work for the Dole Advisory Committee

• Chairman of North East Vocational College

• Founder of nationbuild.com

On Australia Day 2003 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the housing industry, to social welfare - particularly housing the homeless – and to the community. Later that same year he was awarded the Centenary of Federation medal for service to housing and charity. In 2005 he was awarded the inaugural Pride of Australia medal for ‘Community Spirit’ for restoring the village of Houghton and creating the Soldiers Memorial Walk and Remembrance Wall.

Bob was educated at the Gilles Plains High School and The University of South Australia.

Bob’s company, Home Australia owns some of the industry’s best known brand names including Homestead Homes in SA.

In November 2008, Bob was elected Federal Chairman of Family First and in April, 2009 was pre-selected as the Lead Senate Candidate for Family First for the 2010 Federal election.

Bob and his wife Bronte have been married for 29 years and they have three children, John 22, Stephen 20 and Joanna 18. Bob has played cricket, basketball and football and is an accomplished musician. He obtained an unrestricted pilot’s licence in 1980.

Over the years he has written numerous articles and publications including:

• Home Truths: The Politics of Home Ownership (2009)

• Our democracy deserves better (2010)

• Where have all the tradesmen gone? (2005)

• I’m from the Tax Office – and I’m here to help you (2000)

• Home Ownership – Worth Fighting For – DR Dosseter Lecture (2006)

• Checkpoint Charlie (1997)

• Contract Bridge (2002)

• Boomers lament (The Advertiser Nov ‘06)

• End of the great first-home dream (The Australian Aug ‘06)

• Conservatism and Urban Planning (The Conservative Feb ’06)

• Houston … We have a problem (Quadrant Jan ‘06)

• Housing land rush leaving many out in the cold (The Advertiser Aug ‘05)

• Don’t knock ‘great Aussie dream’ (The Advertiser Jan ‘04)

• Contractors: workforce of the future (Australian Financial Review Nov ’04)

• Contractors have right to be independent (The Australian Financial Review July ‘03)

• Balance of power tipped against our state (The Advertiser May ‘03)

• Youth demeaned by politics (The Australian Financial Review Mar ‘99)

• Breaking the jobless nexus (Australian Financial Review Oct ‘96)

• Building South Australia’s future (Great State May ’92)

• The Australian Challenge www.nationbuild.com