Interview with Tim Gilbert, Sky News

Event: Interview with Tim Gilbert, Sky News
Date: 14 June 2025, 8:20am AEST
Speakers: Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia
Topics: housing crisis; tradie shortages; productivity; Construct Your Career

E&OE

Tim Gilbert, host Sky News: Back home and after a big election win just a few weeks ago for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, one of the big issues in the country remains, the housing and construction crisis. Joining me live is the CEO of Master Builders Australia, Denita Wawn. Denita, welcome to the program. It’s been a tough few years of course, in your space. There’s a clear mandate now for leadership with the Labor Party. Do you think it’s going to help?

Denita Wawn, CEO Master Builders Australia: Absolutely, Tim. And I think kudos to the government in the last parliamentary term. They set the Housing Accord targets with the other levels of government and industry. They’ve been working behind the scenes. But really, the tough stuff starts now. We have a productivity crisis of our industry, nearly 20 per cent decline over the last decade. We have huge demand for our built environment, but it’s really hard to build at the moment, builders are struggling. Clients are struggling because of the significant costs. Over 40 per cent increase in costs of building at the moment and significant delays of nearly up to 80 per cent increases. So, we’ve got to resolve these problems. The government has got a productivity agenda, and we’re glad to see that, and very much getting on board to see if we can resolve once and for all these supply constraints.

Tim: So, what’s the next step for the government?

Denita: Well, the government has their productivity agenda. There’s already some reviews with the Productivity Commission. They’re talking about a summit. There is a planning reform blueprint for the construction industry. We have the national construction industry forum blueprint. There’s a lot of plans in place, but now is the time for action. We’re certainly hearing that from the government in our early discussions with them, and that’s what we need to see; action on the ground to make a difference so we can resolve this housing crisis once and for all.

Tim: Now, we’ve seen a couple of interest rates drops. How has that reflected in your space?

Denita: Every time we see an interest rate drop, our builders say, particularly our volume builders with display homes, is that there is increased interest. But nevertheless, people are finding it really hard to convert interest into actually signing a contract. We’re hearing that books are slow for next year, simply because people are looking at those increased costs of construction and saying, it’s all too hard. But every time we get a decrease in interest rates, a decrease in inflation, hopefully resolve those cost increases, then certainly we will see more interest and people spending money, which is critical in terms of resolving the housing crisis. We can’t rely on government spending alone.

Tim: How important is it to keep driving home the benefits of careers in this space for boys and girls, men and women?

Denita: Critical, Tim. We’ve got a massive trade shortage, a skill shortage in this country by hundreds of thousands. We’re doing everything that we can. We’ve released our construct your career guide. We’re running women’s programs to encourage more women into the sector. We’re ensuring that businesses are implementing best practice in HR. But more needs to be done around our schools and our parents to understand the benefits of vocational education and training. There are so many opportunities out there, and I encourage people to look at our construction your career guide to look at the amazing opportunities for anyone wanting to look at a career in construction.

Tim: Yeah, absolutely. Urge anyone who has an inkling in that space to go and have a look and be fully armed with all the info before you work out exactly what you want to do next. But thanks so much for coming on the program, Denita. Appreciate it.

Media contact:
Dee Zegarac
National Director, External Affairs & Engagement
0400 493 071
dee.zegarac@masterbuilders.com.au