Latest news with #Wawn
Sky News AU
16-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Master Builders CEO Denita Wawn delivers brutal warning for Labor as it strives to build 1.2 million homes by 2029
Private markets have conceded it is 'too costly to build' in Australia, the CEO of Master Builders said, in a massive blow to prospective first time home buyers looking to break into the market. Fresh data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed in the 12 months to March 31 about 179,000 dwellings were completed. This falls about 60,000 short of Labor's annual target of 240,000 new homes a year if it is to hit its target of 1.2 million new homes by 2029. The number of new dwellings in March fell 4.4 per cent compared to the December quarter to 43,517. Master Builders' chief executive Denita Wawn said the construction industry in Australia continued to be plagued by fiscal troubles limiting housing growth. 'Increase of building (costs) over the last five years has been significant and our productivity has declined and as a consequence, the private market has simply said it is too costly to build,' Ms Wawn said on Sky News Business Now. 'The demand's there, it's just latent. So we've got a productivity issue that we need to address.' She said Labor's 1.2 million homes target was achievable but stressed, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers had earlier in the week, that there needed to be a widespread effort to boost housing in Australia. 'We need to focus on getting more people into the sector,' she said. 'We need access to finance and we need to ensure that we're being as efficient as possible. 'We think it can be achieved, but it does need everyone realising the seriousness of the issue and implementing the changes that we know are necessary.' Construction costs have increased about 20 per cent over the past five years, thwarting many investors from the property market. Ms Wawn said many in the industry were building at a loss with hopes of maintaining cash flow. 'That needs to change and private investment is the way we will resolve the shortage we have in housing at the moment,' she said. 'We cannot rely on government investment alone. So, as a consequence, we need more people. We need easier, simple planning approval systems. 'We need a construction code that makes sense and (to) stop making so many changes to it so often. 'We need to ensure that we have utilities in our building site so we can then get building the actual construction of the homes.' The new ABS figures come just days after leaked information showed Treasury had warned Labor after it was re-elected that its goal to build 1.2 million homes "will not be met". The department also called on Labor to build a 'coherent and well-prioritised' housing agenda.
Sky News AU
18-06-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
High Court unanimously rejects CFMEU's legal challenge against Albanese government over forced administration
The High Court has thrown out the CFMEU's legal challenge against the government over its forced administration. The Construction and General Division of the CFMEU was embroiled in controversy last year after damning reports by Nine-owned newspapers claimed the union was riddled with criminal activity. Labor pushed through laws with the Coalition to force the CFMEU into administration in August, however the union launched a legal challenge. The CFMEU claimed the government had breached the separation of powers, it had acted unconstitutionally and that it infringed on the implied freedom of political communication. The full bench of the High Court ruled against the union's bid in a blow for the old regime of the CFMEU. Master Builders Association chief executive Denita Wawn said the ruling was critical for weeding out "bad actors" from the construction industry. 'We can now get on with the job of making the building and construction industry a lawful one. We commend the Albanese government for pursuing this administration from day one and defending the act,' Wawn said. 'The time now comes for all stakeholders to recognise a union for the building construction workers is important, but it has to be lawful. "We now need to turn to the safety and wellbeing of all of those in the building and construction industry to ensure that everyone is playing by the book, they're following the law, and we get rid of bad actors out of the industry once and for all.' She also called for further action to stamp out corruption within the construction sector. "More needs to be done," Ms Wawn said. "We've seen a huge amount of evidence since the Administration Act came into place about the ingrained problems of illegal activity in this country." Australian Constructors Association CEO Jon Davies said the ruling provided "much-needed clarity" for the construction industry which suffers productivity challenges and financial strains. 'This decision provides clarity for everyone in the industry, particularly employers and employees,' said Mr Davies. 'It clears the way for the administrator to take full control of the union and ensure the CFMEU and all its officers operate within the law.' Newly appointed Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said the decision gave administrator Mark Irving confidence that he can properly undergo his job. "Construction workers deserve a union free from criminality, corruption and violence," Ms Rishworth said in a statement. "The Administrator and his team can now move forward with confidence and continue their essential work in cleaning up the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU. "We are committed to the Administrator remaining in place until the job is done, and we will continue to provide him and his team with all necessary support as they undertake their challenging and crucial task." After the CFMEU was rocked with allegations of corruption in July, the government moved to place the construction and general division of the union into administration, but had to force this after it failed to consent to one. About 270 union officials, including the leadership of the NSW, Queensland and Victorian divisions, were shown the door following the administrative action.
