A message from the CEO

Adjusting to the new safety requirements has impacted different sectors of the industry in different ways.

A MESSAGE FROM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, MICHAEL HOPKINS

MBA is Focused on Supporting Our Members

Out of challenging times comes experiences that make us proud.

Just like in response to the bushfires in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that the construction industry can quickly adjust to a changing environment. The speed at which our members adjusted to the new social distancing regulations and hygiene procedures in March this year, was remarkable.

This also confirms that, contrary to many claims that have been made about our industry over the years, safety is our industry’s number one priority.

Adjusting to the new safety requirements has impacted different sectors of the industry in different ways. Homeowners immediately reported some concerns, exacerbated by media reporting, that renovation and maintenance work could not be undertaken while lockdown restrictions applied. The MBA quickly responded to this with a public campaign to reassure homeowners that the renovation and extension sector of the industry was open for business and had safety protocols in place.

For the large scale commercial construction sector, achieving social distancing in small workspaces also posed a challenge. However, thanks to the innovation and commitment to safety that our members displayed, our entire industry was able to continue working while maintaining safe practices.

Now is the time for the ACT Government, with support from the Federal Government, to invest in a massively increased capital works program.

After adjusting to the new safety requirements, attention quickly moved to concern about the future pipeline of work. This is a key concern across the entire industry. Forecasts released last month from MBA Australia confirmed what many were already feeling, that is, a sharp downturn in work for the year ahead.

For businesses who rely on capital works funded by the ACT Government, this feeling had started several months earlier. In fact, the ACT Government’s investment in public infrastructure has declined from close to $1 Billion in 2016-17 to a forecast of $581 million in 2022-23.

Put simply, this trend must be turned-around. Now is the time for the ACT Government, with support from the Federal Government, to invest in a massively increased capital works program. Local project teams must be prioritised. Jobs in our industry depend upon it.

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