Master Builders ACT 2020 Election Priorities

mba.org.au/news-and-media/election

Master Builders ACT 2020 Election Priorities Every candidate should back the local building industry by supporting business friendly policies which create jobs, grow the economy and support local businesses.

Summary With more than 1 million Australians out of work - 11,000 Canberrans amongst them – the central issue in the 2020 ACT election is job creation and economic growth.

Canberra’s second largest private sector industry, the building and construction industry, has been allowed to continue operating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and therefore can lead the ACT’s economic recovery.

Peak employment for the ACT construction industry was in February 2020, when close to 20,000 people worked in the local industry. At that time, the local industry comprised 5,750 construction businesses, performed close to $4 billion of construction work each year, and comprised 8% of GDP.

The building and construction industry is a major driver of the ACT’s economy.

The ACT economy, and in turn the building and construction industry, has been significantly impacted by the recession resulting from health restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Already more than 1,000 construction workers have lost their jobs.

However, the building and construction industry still provides purposeful, safe and secure careers for many Canberrans. The industry also still contributes more than 50% of the ACT taxes.

With support from the next ACT Government, our industry can help lead the ACT economic recovery.

Prior to the COVID-19 induced economic recession...

20,000

Almost 20,000 Canberrans were employed in the building & construction industry

8%

Building & construction work contributed 8% of the Territory's GDP

5,750 The local building & construction industry comprised 5,750 construction businesses

Master Builders ACT

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Strong Building, Strong Territory The theme of the MBA’s election policy – Strong Building, Strong Territory – symbolises that the health of the ACT’s building and construction industry is both a driver and indicator of the health of the ACT economy.

Running a building business or working in the ACT construction industry is becoming harder and harder. Taxes, rates and charges are increasing; ACT Government administrative processes take longer; and constant changes to ACT Government regulation adds burdensome red tape.

Our industry needs a business friendly ACT Government to help us do what we do best - to grow, create jobs, and build the things the entire community depends on.

Master Builders ACT is seeking support from all candidates in this year’s election on four key policies to support the local building and construction industry, and help it lead the ACT’s economic recovery.

Support ACT businesses first Prioritise ACT business throughout the building supply chain (builders, subcontractors, suppliers and consultants) when awarding Government tenders.

Streamline the ACT Government Tender Process so that small businesses can easily apply for Government work and receive a timely response to their tender.

Remove barriers to being pre-qualified for ACT Government tenders by reviewing the ACT Secure Local Jobs Code and amend clauses 14, 15 and 16 which only advance the unions industrial agenda.

Avoid unnecessary restrictions on the way people work, including the right to be an independent contractor and for employers and employees to implement work arrangements that suit their needs – not the unreasonable demands of unions.

Commit to preserving freedom of association laws and promising to say no to anything that gives unions more say or more rights than ordinary everyday workers, and make sure right of entry rules are strengthened and properly enforced.

2020 ACT Election Priorities

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Implement

best practice building quality reforms Implement the 24 Building Confidence Report Recommendations.

Commit to lifting building standards and ensure fair and sensible commercial conduct by all building practitioners.

Boost business entrepreneurship.

Lessen building industry regulatory burdens by cutting red tape to make it easier to do business in the ACT. Consistently enforce building laws across the building supply chain.

Invest in industry training.

Build careers in the construction industry Mandate that at least 15% of all workers on major ACT funded projects be apprentices or trainees.

Fund pre-apprenticeship programmes that help people be job ready and productive right from day one.

Raise the profile of trade careers.

Temporarily increase funding for Group Training organisations and employers who retain existing apprentices and take on more apprentices.

Continue full funding for vocational education and independent training providers and employment services.

Introduce a best practice planning system supported by a long term infrastructure plan

Implement a new Planning and Development Act and ACT Territory Plan,

which facilities economic growth, recognises the features of local communities, delivers housing to meet the needs of our community now and future, and deliver a streamlined development assessment system.

Front-load community consultation and review third party appeal rights.

Deliver a long term infrastructure plan for the ACT. Master Builders ACT

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In the ACT, there are over 3,000 trade apprentices and trainees that depend on the ACT Government's investment in training

The building and construction industry contributes to over 50% of ACT taxes

For every $1 invested in construction, $3 is provided to the wider economy

Authorised by Michael Hopkins on behalf of Master Builders Association of the ACT.