Master Builders Western Australia — May-June 2017

Acknowledging the support of our 2017 Partners:

A fresh approach

Mark McGowan and the Labor Party
surprised everyone with the magnitude of their
resounding victory in the State election on 11
March. Congratulations to Mr McGowan on
becoming WA’s thirtieth Premier, and to his
team in forming our next State Government.

The eight-and-a-half-year period of the
Barnett Government will be remembered most
favourably for the infrastructure that was, and
is being, constructed. Hospitals such as the
Fiona Stanley, Midland, Perth Children’s and in
regional areas and public infrastructure such
as Perth Arena, Elizabeth Quay, Perth Stadium,
Kings Square and the Airport Gateway have
enhanced Perth signifi cantly.

But it was time for a change and a fresh
approach. Mr McGowan campaigned long
and hard in pursuit of a long list of policies that
Labor intended to pursue if it won the election.
Now that it has (convincingly), it has a clear
mandate to implement its reform agenda.

Master Builders believes the building industry
will play an important role in assisting the
McGowan Government to get the economy
moving again. Many of Labor’s promises will
rely on our industry for their ultimate success.

It is pleasing that Labor supports the $

boost in the First Home Owners Grant to

$15,000 for the duration of the 2017 calendar

year. Likewise, we are pleased that Labor

supports the extension to Keystart’s income

eligibility criteria which will assist hundreds

more West Australians to fast track deposits to

buy their own homes.

An obstacle in getting homes built quicker,

however, is the planning approvals process. It

is encouraging, having met Mr McGowan and

some of his team prior to the election, that

they recognise the importance of streamlining

this process with a view to eventually

implementing a workable private certifi cation

regime. In addition, there needs to be greater

accountability for local councils in respect to

their decision making, and further measures

for the Department of Planning to have

greater involvement in providing direction on

planning matters.

Other policy announcements from Labor that

have pleased builders include capping fees

for TAFE students, more reasonable bushfi re

regulations, an infrastructure advisory body

to Government and extending Buy Local

incentives to foster suppliers and local skilled

labour in regional towns.

However, like other industry groups, we have

concerns about the impact that imposing a

four per cent additional stamp duty tax on

foreign investors would have on the building

and property industries. With WA not having

such a surcharge, it provides us with a healthy

competitive advantage over other States.

Implementing the surcharge would erode

this advantage.

On subcontractors not being paid their lawful

entitlements, Master Builders understands

Labor’s concerns. However, we are alarmed

that the Labor Party is contemplating project

bank accounts for the housing industry. This

would be a disastrous policy and completely

unworkable. There must be a focus on

improving housing affordability, not increasing

red tape.

The Labor Party has announced a range

of major infrastructure and public works

construction projects, the biggest one being

Metronet. These projects will be well received

by builders who are currently operating well

below capacity.

A review of the housing indemnity insurance

regime should be one of Labor’s high priorities

if it is serious about housing affordability and

curtailing debt.

The transition from an outgoing to a new

government also provides challenges and

surprises. It is in our members’ interests that

we provide as much feedback as possible to

the new Labor Government as it settles into

offi ce and rolls out its policies.

We are particularly interested in how the

McGowan Government tackles the recently

introduced Code of Practice aimed at dealing

with unlawful industrial relations practices

and security of payment issues. Occupational

health and safety also will be an important

issue to monitor as the union movement often

sees safety as an effective Trojan horse to enter

work-places to cause mischief.

Congratulations Mark McGowan on your

election as Premier and to the Labor Party

in forming government. We hope the next

four years will be an enjoyable ride with

many mutually successful outcomes for the

betterment of our languishing economy.

Robert Spadaccini

Insurance Partner

Robert Spadaccini

President

CONCEPT ONLY

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A4 VERTICAL

Everyone

loves a

hat trick

Winning Best Customer Service

awards for the past three years in a row

really is something special. Not just

because it shows our concerted efforts

are being noticed, but because it

means our customers can continually

rely on us to deliver our best.

Our most recent achievement

was the Master Builders-Bankwest

Housing Excellence Award for

Best Customer Service 2017.

Master Builders-Bankwest Housing Excellence

Award for Best Customer Service 2017

Master Builders-Bankwest Housing Excellence

Award for Best Customer Service 2015

1

2

3

HIA-CSR WA Housing Awards Winner

for Customer Service 2016

4 FOREWORDS president’s fi le

MAY–JUNE 2017