Next Federal Government must get on with building a stronger economy

Economic growth is essential to our members’ business success, our residential, commercial and civil construction sectors need it to thrive and that’s why a strong economy has been Master Builders’ focus at this Federal Election.

“We are proud to stand up for our member’s interests and to have given them a strong voice at this election. Outside of our industry, it’s important to remind ourselves that the community also benefits from a strong economy and a stronger building and construction industry,” Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“Our industry creates $220 billion worth of services to Australia, it provides opportunities for more than 370,000 small building businesses and more full times jobs than any other industry,” she said.

“Every dollar spent on construction offers a much greater bang for its buck than other sectors of the economy because a larger portion of construction spending is retained and recycled economy wide providing support for other industry sectors,” Denita Wawn said.

“The Reserve Bank recently wound back their forecasts for growth from 3.2 per cent to 1.7 per cent, and our members report their businesses are experiencing a drop of 30 per cent in sales while too many infrastructure projects are languishing on lists and not commencing,” she said.

“That’s why Master Builders’ message to Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten at this election is simple. The jobs, lifestyles and living standards that we enjoy today will decline unless the next Federal Government does the hard yards on implementing policies for economic reform,” Denita Wawn said.

“We need to back small business and make it easier for them to succeed, we need to invest more in skills, cut red tape, build more productive infrastructure and ensure that industrial relations laws support growth in our industry,” she said.

“Master Builders has endorsed whichever policies have met these tests regardless of which party has proposed them but we will continue to oppose policies that undermine our member’s viability such as abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) increasing Capital Gains Tax and restricting Negative Gearing,” Denita Wawn said.

“Our industry is the nation’s second largest and our members’ contribution to the economy and community cannot be ignored. Every day in communities around the country our members are building economic growth and boosting local economies. The next Federal Government must deliver policies to support a stronger building industry,” Denita Wawn said.