The Treasurer’s reform priorities from the Economic Reform Roundtable mark important progress, with commitments on housing, skills, and cutting red tape delivering wins for the building and construction industry says Master Builders Australia.
But success will depend on government following through with action, not just aspiration.
The Treasurer outlined 10 priority areas:
- Progress towards a single national market
- Simplifying trade and reforming tariffs
- Better regulation
- Speeding up approvals in national priority areas
- Building more homes more quickly
- Making artificial intelligence a national priority
- Attracting capital and deploying investment
- Building a skilled and adaptable workforce
- A better tax system
- Modernising government services
The Treasurer’s commitment to reduce red tape in the National Construction Code, accelerate environmental and planning approvals, and address the backlog of housing approvals are direct wins for the building and construction industry. These outcomes reflect Master Builders’ calls to pause non-essential NCC changes, streamline approvals and harmonise standards.
The recognition of prefabricated and modular construction as part of the housing solution is another positive outcome, as well as support for improving national licensing and occupational recognition, which have long been advocated by Master Builders.
Master Builders echoes the strong recognition of the need to build a more skilled and adaptable workforce.
The roundtable discussion on better recognition of international qualifications, boosting apprenticeship commencements and completions, and greater pathways for upskilling will be critical to ensuring the industry has the workforce needed to deliver on the Housing Accord targets.
One of the major missed opportunities of the roundtable was meaningful reform of the industrial relations system. Current workplace relations settings continue to act as a handbrake on productivity, flexibility, and efficient delivery of the built environment.
While there was strong consensus on the need to build more homes, there remains a risk of reform paralysis without clear timelines. The industry cannot afford further delay: housing approvals already take up to two years and subsequent build times continue to blow out.
Tax reform was discussed but lacked immediate clarity. It is vital that tax settings support private investment and give certainty to the businesses that need to deliver the government’s housing agenda.
Master Builders also reiterates its position that negative gearing and capital gains tax settings must be retained in their current form, as any changes would risk undermining new housing supply.