A Message from the CEO

WITH SUCH A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CONSTRUCTION PLANNED IN CANBERRA, IMPROVING BUILDING QUALITY ALSO HAS TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY FOR BOTH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT.

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MICHAEL HOPKINS

Advocacy Priorities for 2018

With the future pipeline of construction work in Canberra counted in the billions of dollars, there has never been a more important time to check that the Territory has the appropriate regulatory, taxation and safety frameworks in place to capitalise on this unprecedented infrastructure and construction work investment.

Since releasing five policy documents in 2014 and 2015, Master Builders ACT has achieved many advocacy priorities for our members: Improved ACT procurement rules, which recognise local industry participation; the appointment of a Local Industry Advocate; the establishment of the Building Regulatory Advisory Council; many Territory Plan amendments, including reforms to solar access rules … the list goes-on. However, there is still much to be achieved.

Continued improvement to the industry’s safety record is at the top of the list.

MASTER BUILDERS, LIKE OUR MEMBER COMPANIES, ALL SHARE A COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING SAFETY IN OUR INDUSTRY.

Master Builders, like our member companies, all share a commitment to improving safety in our industry. Master Builders will fully cooperate with government to implement the recommendations of the Getting Home Safely (GHS) Report, and any new recommendations that come from the RMIT review of the GHS Report’s implementation.

Master Builders ACT will also ensure our own safety processes are in order to protect our apprentices, students and staff. In January our safety systems were re-accredited under AS/ NZS4801:2001, which should give us all some comfort that our systems are in good shape.

With such a significant amount of construction planned in Canberra, improving building quality also has to be a high priority for both industry and government. Master Builders ACT has been calling on the ACT Government to reform its building regulatory system, including security of payment laws, consumer protections, and builders’ licensing system, since before 2010. Time has long past for action on building quality reform.

And finally, for Canberra to fully capitalise on the planned investment in infrastructure and construction work, the Territory’s taxation settings must be established appropriately. If property and development taxes are set too high (as is the case with the recent LVC increase on certain residential leases), investment will be driven across the border and away from the ACT.

Partnering with government, the community, and allied industry associations, will be critical to achieving these reforms. Any member wanting to contribute to our policy development is encouraged to make contact with the MBA, participate in your Sector Council meetings, or attend the various MBA events planned in 2018.

Best wishes for the year ahead.