Red tape on chopping block in bid to build homes faster
But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes.
Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause.
But a broader rewrite was also possible.
Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing.
Not all were on board with the pause.
Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition".
The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable.
The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy.
There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules.
Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing.
Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail".
While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions.
"So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start".
Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said.
Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace.
But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon.
The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit.
But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes.
Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause.
But a broader rewrite was also possible.
Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing.
Not all were on board with the pause.
Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition".
The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable.
The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy.
There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules.
Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing.
Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail".
While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions.
"So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start".
Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said.
Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace.
But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon.
The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit.
But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes.
Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause.
But a broader rewrite was also possible.
Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing.
Not all were on board with the pause.
Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition".
The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable.
The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy.
There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules.
Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing.
Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail".
While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions.
"So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start".
Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said.
Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace.
But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon.
The need to simplify the regulation of housing and environmental approvals has received widespread support at a major economic reform summit.
But the devil, as always, is in the detail and divisions remain over the specifics.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised "win-wins" on Wednesday morning at day two of his economic reform roundtable and unions and business found one in a plan to simplify the National Construction Code.
Housing Minister Clare O'Neil garnered broad support over the need for a pause to the National Construction Code for the life of the housing accord, which runs until mid-2029 and sets a target for 1.2 million new homes.
Changes to the code that deal with safety issues such as fireproofing would be exempt from a pause.
But a broader rewrite was also possible.
Master Builders Australia has been pushing for a review into "non-essential" changes, including EV charging requirements, which they argue increase the cost and complexity of building new homes.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil said it was important to keep improving energy efficiency of new homes but acknowledged the nearly-3000 page document was "clunky", and called for more support for modular housing.
Not all were on board with the pause.
Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie was concerned about it leading to poorer housing quality, while outspoken Labor backbencher Ed Husic told the ABC it would mean "repeating the bad mistakes of the coalition".
The opposition took a 10-year pause of the code to the last election, a policy which was not supported by Labor at the time, but Treasury advised pausing changes to the code in a document leaked ahead of the roundtable.
The ACTU's Ms O'Neil agreed with business groups and the superannuation industry that there was need to reform the super performance test, which disincentivised long-term investments in housing and clean energy.
There was also support for reforming the Howard-era Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation rules.
Unions, employer groups and environmentalists all agreed the act was no longer fit for purpose. They want a new act that provides faster decisions for projects from mining to housing.
Shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien said he would be as constructive as he could but would hold fire on supporting either of the proposals until he saw more details from Labor.
Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy said there was consensus for the creation of a national environment protection agency, but the "devil is in the detail".
While business groups want the EPA to only deal with compliance and not project approvals, Ms O'Shanassy said you needed an independent regulator that is held to account for the speed and quality of its decisions.
"So I would put to the folks who don't like the idea of a national EPA making decisions: what's your plan to get better, faster, more predictable decisions for your company and better outcomes for nature?" she said.
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who is representing all the states and territories at the roundtable, said he wanted the federal government's $900 million productivity fund increased, calling it an "excellent start".
Increasing the fund could help other states and territories follow NSW's lead in adopting artificial intelligence to speed up planning approvals, he said.
Regulation of AI has been a major dividing line between employers and unions heading into the roundtable, with the ACTU calling for the government to force employers to consult with staff before introducing AI tools to the workplace.
But Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said there was little conflict with the peak union body in discussions about AI on Wednesday afternoon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
7 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Sounds like gibberish': Labor claims to deal with the ‘big problems' with economic roundtable
On tonight's episode of Paul Murray Live, Sky News host Paul Murray discusses Labor's economic roundtable, the baby Luka attack, Tassie politics and more. 'The roundtable that gives you the feeling of six and seven, a little confusing about what exactly is going on,' Mr Murray said. 'But they are claiming they are dealing with the big problems Australia needs to deal with, the reality of course they are just often saying empty words that sound like gibberish.'
Sky News AU
7 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Government's roundtable attempts to ‘kickstart' Australia's ‘anaemic economy'
Sky News host Andrew Bolt discusses the number of outside views coming in during Labor's economic roundtable. 'The Albanese government's big roundtable meanwhile on how to kickstart this country's pretty anaemic economy just ended day two,' Mr Bolt said. 'There have been some very good ideas from outside that roundtable, ideas the government does not want to hear.'
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Perth Now
Duelling roundtables hit Canberra
Nationals senator Matt Canavan says expanding Australia's economy will require a smaller government following a his own economic reform roundtable challenging Jim Chalmers' three-day summit. The Queensland senator labelled the official talks, which canvassed reducing regulation to boost efficiencies in housing, as a 'fake productivity roundtable'. Instead Senator Canavan said his 'public' table was open to media and involved participants including the Productivity Commission's first chair, Gary Banks, and former assistant Treasury secretary David Pearl. Participants discussed the importance of eliminating bracket creep, reducing growth of the NDIS, scrapping net-zero targets and fiscal discipline. Senator Canavan advocated for less intervention from Canberra, saying that 'if we want our economy to be bigger, we need our government to be smaller'. 'The overburdensome red tape in our housing sector, construction sectors and others are holding our nation back,' he said. Queensland senator Matt Canavan hosted his own productivity roundtable in parliament on Wednesday. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'The ineffective interventions in our energy market, such as the reckless and destructive rush to renewables, and the futile and failing net zero policies, are restricting the latent potential of our great nation. 'We need to stop Canberra from telling people what car they can drive, what power they should use, what food they can even eat.' Prof Banks also took aim at Labor for high government spending, which had strained private sector growth. 'Unfortunately, attention to regulation has been more about increasing, rather than reducing it or improving it, and the government's productivity agenda is mainly a spending agenda,' he said. Economic Reform Roundtable attendees were invited to the Lodge for drinks after day 2 of the meeting. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet Steven Kennedy and CBA chief executive Matt Comyn arrive at the Lodge. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Meanwhile official talks focused on slashing regulation, with participants largely supporting a pause to the National Construction Code amid criticisms the overbearing regulations weigh down housing approvals and increase costs. While there was general consensus on the need to reduce regulation to speed up housing approvals, Wentworth teal MP Allegra Spender said participants did not agree to whether the code should be paused or for new changes to be delayed until the next review due in 2029. Although there were concerns around whether this would affect environment standards, she described discussions as 'constructive'. 'I think that we should come out with something on the Construction Code,' she said. 'I think the government is looking at how to get the construction code right from a point of view of not making too many unnecessary changes that makes it just more expensive to build.' Allegra Spender tipped an announcement on pausing or freezing the National Construction Code following the summit. NewsWire/ Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, who attended the roundtable representing the states, said there was 'pretty strong consensus emerging that that is a sensible step forward'. 'Regardless of what's in the National Construction Code, states already have strong rules around building safety, building standards, energy efficiency, and so from our perspective,' he said. 'If the National Code is frozen, it gives us a bit more time to get the interactions between national standards and state standards clear and sorted, but equally, give a lot of confidence to people who are looking to build right now.' However former Labor cabinet minister Ed Husic, who didn't participate in the roundtable, said he would be 'concerned about a pause to the National Construction Code,' and said it would a repeat of a 'bad mistake of the Coalition'. However he conceded the code was 'in a funk,' and said a review was a better option. 'Think about the fact that the last time we put pause in the National Construction Code we ended up having to scramble and put on hold a whole host of changes,' he told the ABC. 'That makes really hard for the construction sector the building sector to deal with a lot of changes at once. There is a much more sensible way to get it done.'
