Prime Minister’s policy focus positive for building industry

“The Prime Minister’s focus on delivering policies for a strong economy to attract investment, create jobs and boost living standards for all Australians are fundamental outcomes in what is set to be an increasingly uncertain global environment,” Wilhelm Harnisch, CEO of Master Builders Australia said.

“The Prime Minister’s focus on getting the policy settings right for economic stability and growth, are fundamental to underpinning and boosting confidence in the building and construction industry,” he said.

“Cutting the company tax rate to 25 per cent is a key priority of Master Builders Strong Building, Strong Economy policy agenda. More than 340,000 small family businesses in our industry will be benefit from the Government’s proposed first step of cutting company tax for businesses with annual turnover of $10 million or less,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“But tax cuts should be applied more broadly and sooner. In order to achieve this it highlights the imperative to accelerate Budget repair and for the Crossbench Senators to play a positive role,” he said.

“Master Builders also strongly backs the Prime Minister on the need to build more new dwellings to ensure home ownership remains within reach of everyday Australians. This must include affordable and appropriate housing options in the rental sector,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“The Prime Minister’s proper focus on tackling the challenges of affordable housing is strongly backed. The holistic approach of tackling transport, urban infrastructure and the complexity of approvals process brings context to the solutions that are required,” he said.

“Removing the structural impediments to building more homes such as inefficient planning and approvals is fundamental. This can be achieved by the Federal Government showing leadership in working cooperatively with state and local government and encouraging efficiency and reform measures to close the deposit gap for first home buyers,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“Investment in quality infrastructure is crucial to securing our standard of living in the future. More infrastructure investment will improve our economic and social wellbeing,” he said.

“Targeted infrastructure keeps us out of traffic jams, ensures we are better connected, allows us to be healthier and raises our education levels and it makes our cities more productive. It also helps create a strong building industry and a strong economy, creating job and training opportunities for more Australians,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.

“In supporting these initiatives, Master Builders calls on the Government to also focus on other productivity reform measures such as reform of the workplace relations framework,” Wilhelm Harnisch said.