HIA urges action on regulation, skills for building product manufacturers in Economic Reform Roundtable submission

Residential building industry lobbyist the Housing Industry Association (HIA) has urged the federal government to do more to support the building product manufacturing and supply sector, which it says is “being held back by red, white and green tape”.

According to a statement from HIA on Wednesday, manufacturers “are increasingly burdened by overlapping regulations, from planning and environmental rules to complex building code changes.

“Our members want to invest and innovate, but governments must get out of their way and let business get on with business,” said Managing Director Jocelyn Martin.

HIA has cited regulation as well as energy costs and workforce shortages in its submission to the Economic Reform Roundtable, led by federal treasurer Jim Chalmers and taking place on August 19 to 21.

The submission recommends appointing a minister for red tape reduction, targeted support to address skills challenges, and creation of a national Building Innovation Hub to speed adoption of new products, materials and systems.

“We’re calling for a national strategy to reduce red tape, reframe energy policy to support affordable and reliable supply, and boost access to skilled workers,” added Martin.

“The sector is facing severe skill shortages not just on building sites, but in the manufacturing plants that produce the materials that go into new homes. 

“Recent HIA analysis found the industry is short over 83,000 tradespeople if it is to meet the government’s 1.2 million homes target by 2029 and the manufacturing sector is under similar pressure.

Picture: credit Treasury

Further reading

Economic reform must include industrial transformation

Manufacturing must be a clear focus of the August economic roundtable