Master Builders Australia flags its views ahead of Federal Election

MASTER BUILDERS Australia has launched a campaign to give its members and the building and construction industry a voice at the imminent Federal Election. 

“The Strong Building, Strong Economy campaign will ensure that the issues that matter to our industry are front and centre and that all political parties and candidates know which policies our members support and oppose,” Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn said.

“The campaign calls for the support of Master Builders’ policy ‘wish list’ to back small business, stop the bullying on building sites, boost house building activity and train more apprentices,” she said.

“Our Election Scorecard will inform our members across the country about how the major parties respond. 

“Advertising will be rolled out across the country opposing the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) and an increase in capital gains tax and restrictions on negative gearing,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Both of these issues are of the utmost importance to our members -- the builders and tradies that underpin a strong economy in cities, towns and regions around the country.  They are both long standing policy positions of the organisation and we have an obligation to our members to stand up for what is important to them. 

“Union bullying in the construction sector is not tolerated anywhere else in the community but unions persist in using bullying tactics to hold the industry and the community to ransom. Union bullying drives up construction costs by 30 percent, forcing the community to pay more for schools and hospitals and other taxpayer funded infrastructure.

“Doubling capital gains tax and restrictions on negative gearing will mean that up to 42,000 new homes are not built, up to 32,000 less jobs will be created and that up an $11.8 billion hit on the building industry will occur,” Ms Wawn said. 

“Our industry makes a huge contribution to a strong economy so Master Builders does not want to see economic growth put at risk by policies that give a green light to union bullying or result in less new homes being built.

“Both major parties boast of their plans for a strong economy. They must acknowledge that as the nation’s second largest industry, largest provider of full time jobs and with more than 370,000 small business, a successful building and construction industry is fundamental to achieving economic growth and higher living standards,” Ms Wawn said. 

“The Strong Building Strong Economy Campaign provides an opportunity for our members “voice” to be heard, the voice of an industry that is integral to the future success of our nation."

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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