National election campaign launch - 12 April 2019
Master Builders’ federal election campaign was launched this week with a press conference held at a PACT construction site. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn and President Hedley Davis flew to Perth to join WA Executive Director John Gelavis in presenting the Strong Building Strong Economy message. Advertisements running across the country promote our support for the Australian Building and Construction Commission and our opposition to changes in negative gearing rules or increases to capital gains tax.
Priority Start Policy - 4 April 2019
Training Minister Sue Ellery this week announced the Priority Start Policy, which took effect on April 1. It requires industry to invest in apprentices by meeting a target training rate on all State Government building and maintenance contracts valued over $5million. Master Builders supports the aim to ensure a long-term supply of skilled workers. However, it’s difficult for builders to take on apprentices when work levels are down and the market is tough.
Master Builders keeps pressure on government for stimulus - 28 March 2019
Following the recent meeting with Ben Wyatt, Executive Director John Gelavis and Housing Director Jason Robertson met with Housing Minister Peter Tinley yesterday to push for greater support for first home buyers and the residential building industry. Master Builders is keeping up momentum on the campaign for an increase to the First Home Owner’s Grant, Keystart income limits and the stamp duty threshold.
Master Builders keeps up the fight for government stimulus - 14 March 2019
A group of residential builders lead by Master Builders senior executives met with Treasurer Ben Wyatt last week to push for greater support for first home buyers and the residential building industry. Master Builders is leading a campaign for an increase to the First Home Owner Grant, wider Keystart income limits and a rise in the stamp duty threshold. The discussion was encouraging and further updates will follow.
Housing talks with Treasurer Ben Wyatt - 7 March 2019
Executive Director John Gelavis met with Treasurer Ben Wyatt recently to discuss stimuli for the housing market. This meeting involved the owners of WA residential building companies and Master Builders President Jason Kunkler. Master Builders has been leading the push for wider Keystart income limits, the First Home Owner Boost and raising the stamp duty threshold for first home buyers.
Fiocco report: Security of payment event - 28 February 2019
Master Builders, in conjunction with the Society of Construction Law and Consult Australia, held an event with 170 members of the building and construction sector last week. Master Builders WA President Jason Kunkler from PACT Construction was a panellist and consistently represented the interests of all members. Attorney General John Quigley also attended and he emphasised the Government's aim to introduce statutory trusts for private sector projects.
New finance partnership - 28 February 2019
Master Builders are proud to announce Launch Finance as our official finance partner. Members now have access to hundreds of loan products on offer as well as expert advice from an award-winning team of professional finance brokers. Launch Finance can help to navigate the ever-changing and competitive loan market and find the right loan to suit building and construction projects of all sizes.
Infrastructure WA launch - 21 February 2019
The state government’s move to establish Infrastructure WA with the aim of improving long term planning for major capital works across the state has been celebrated by Master Builders. Executive Director John Gelavis joined Premier Mark McGowan and Planning Minister Rita Saffioti at the announcement of the new authority this week. It will aim to avoid expensive cancellations and delays and give builders confidence that big projects will go ahead.
Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity - 21 February 2019
Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity
The director also attended the McGowan Government’s announcement of the Our Priorities: Sharing Prosperity plan to deliver jobs and widespread benefits to the state. Under the theme “a liveable environment” is the pledge to build Metronet and increase homes near public transport by 2031. The number of homes in the Perth and Peel region close to a public transport node will increase by 45 per cent over 2018 numbers.
Meetings in Canberra - 14 February 2019
Executive Director John Gelavis was in Canberra this week for the executive directors’ meeting and the Master Builders Australia Welcome Back to Parliament BBQ, which was a great opportunity to catch up with important WA federal politicians and discuss the major issues that affect our state. The executive directors’ meeting covered topics including the upcoming federal election campaign and the Building Ministers Forum,which focused on the difficulties experienced at Sydney’s Opal Tower and the fire at Melbourne’s Neo200 buildings. It was agreed these instances reinforce the importance of implementing the recommendations of the Shergold Weir Report.
