Step-up in housing tempered by industrial relations uncertainty

Tonight’s Budget is a reminder to remain cautious and target policies towards lifting productivity and minimising inflationary pressures as the country faces uncertain economic headwinds and global challenges says Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn.

The Budget has confirmed funding for election commitments including more university and vocational education and training places, infrastructure and local manufacturing.

“Master Builders welcomes funding to increase visa processing capacity and raise awareness of opportunities for high-skilled migrants.

“The Housing Accord announced tonight along with the funding of housing election commitments support an additional pipeline of work over the medium term for the residential building sector. In implementing the suite of polices, governments have to be mindful of the capacity constraints currently hitting the industry including labour shortages, material costs and the burden of new regulation.

“The Government must resist the temptation to pursue industrial relations policies that will have an adverse affect on low unemployment, productivity and impact real wages in the long-term.

“We continue to strongly disagree with the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) but acknowledge the Government’s announcement of additional resourcing for the Fair Work Ombudsman to more comprehensively regulate the Fair Work Act 2009 in the building and construction industry,” Ms Wawn said.

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