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Statement from Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn
1 October 2026
Master Builders Australia welcomes the Coalition’s policy direction for industrial relations outlined today by the Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Senator the Hon. Jane Hume.
The evidence is overwhelming that more of the same will continue to cause home buyers, renters and taxpayers significant pain.
Build times for apartments have blown out from around 21 months a decade ago to 33 months today, costing time and money. Productivity in the construction sector has fallen by 21 per cent in the same period. The public are getting less public infrastructure for their taxes because of the CFMEU’s conduct.
As Senator Hume correctly outlined, industrial relations and productivity are “inseperable” and “when productivity improves, workers share in the benefits through higher wages, better living standards, and more opportunities”.
If we are to once again make housing affordable for current and future generations and deliver the nation leading buildings and infrastructure our country needs, there is no more important place to start than our industrial relations framework.
The Coalition’s commitment to reinstate a strong construction regulator to protect the rule of law is necessary for the benefit of law abiding builders, workers and unions – as well as taxpayers.
As part of our six point plan to stop corruption in the building sector, Master Builders Australia has been calling for a dedicated building and construction industry regulator. It should have sole responsibility for compliance and enforcement across criminal, industrial relations and competition law, underpinned by strong investigative, compliance and enforcement powers.
This includes having the required powers to enforce the law and target and eradicate corrupt and criminal behaviour.
Master Builders also welcomes commitments to change the law and allow the indefinite exclusion of bad actors from the CFMEU, and to repeal new provisions that allow the Government to preference the awarding of taxpayer funded contracts to businesses with union-backed enterprise agreements.
Media contact: Dylan Hafey, Adviser, Media & Government Relations
0497 330 064 | dylan.hafey@masterbuilders.com.au