Builders set the foundation for safer and more productive workplaces

Master Builders Australia has today unveiled key safety and workplace policy recommendations aimed at boosting jobs, driving productivity, and enhancing safety on building and construction sites.

Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said the building and construction industry is at the heart of solving Australia’s housing crisis, with residential, commercial, and civil construction sectors all playing a critical role in delivering the homes and infrastructure Australians need.

“Safe and productive building and construction workplaces are essential to tackling the housing crisis,” Ms Wawn said.

“We want workers to be safe, worksites to be productive, lawful, and harmonious, and the industry to provide stable, rewarding, and secure jobs to more Australians. But major challenges are holding us back.

“Productivity has fallen by 18 per cent over the past decade, red tape is stifling progress, costs are rising, build times are blowing out, and too many workers are suffering illness or injury. These issues demand urgent attention.”

The report, Safe & Productive Workplaces, highlights eight key focus areas for the next federal government to tackle these challenges:

1. Recognise and support the needs of small business.
2. Implement the Breaking Build Bad report and recommendations.
3. Preserve and enhance the rights of independent contractors and self-employed tradies.
4. Simply safety rules to improve WHS outcomes.
5. Adopt workplace bargaining laws that are simple, effective, and work for all workplaces.
6. Preserve and enhance the rights of workers and employers.
7. Create a balanced and sensible system of ‘Right of Entry’ laws and stronger duties for unions and their officials.
8. Effectively tackle conduct that hurts workplace productivity.

Ms Wawn added: “Productivity is more than an economic buzzword. Every day we drag our heels on tackling the challenges faced in the industry, the longer we drag out the housing crisis.

“The industry can no longer be treated as a political football. We need strong leadership from the next Parliament to deliver real change.”

Media contact: Dee Zegarac, National Director, Media & Public Affairs

0400 493 071 | dee.zegarac@masterbuilders.com.au