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Chaired by Simon Croft, HIA Chief Executive, Industry & Policy, the event brought together members and stakeholders, along with Senator Andrew Bragg – Shadow Assistant Minister for Home Ownership, Maria Kovacic, Liberal Senator for New South Wales and the Liberal candidate for the seat of Paterson, Laurence Antcliff.
“Attendees were candid in their discussions, highlighting areas where a future federal government can support the residential building industry. There was a strong focus on both supply and demand matters that are affecting housing affordability,” Mr Jennion said.
“Pleasingly attendees didn’t hold back, and it is clear that there is much that a future federal government can and must do to support the industry to build the volume of housing that the Hunter desperately needs.
“Builders highlighted four key issues that must be addressed that would keep home ownership within reach of everyday Australians. This included:
Addressing the industries chronic skills shortages;
Fast-tracking build ready land and investment in roads, sewers, electricity and water to make this happen;
Cutting the myriad and ever increasing regulatory red tape being embedded on builders; and
Improving financial settings for home ownership to support all Australians into housing.
“HIA today outlined our 2025 federal election campaign titled Let’s Build which goes to the heart of these issues. It advocates for increased support for residential builders, addressing the two decade long workforce issues and putting a pause on further red and green tape which is driving up home building costs.
“Key to addressing the housing crisis, involves all levels of governments making housing in all forms and in all locations a national priority and our election campaign calls on all political parties in this upcoming election to make this commitment and implement long terms reforms to achieve this objective,” concluded Mr Jennion.
P: (02) 4014 2000
For social media commentary from Craig Jennion: HIA Hunter Twitter
M: 0414 872 090
E: c.jennion@hia.com.au
Building approvals for dwellings in Canberra for the year to the end of March have shown some signs that the market may be turning the corner but still remain well below government targets.
“Australia has just seen its two weakest years of new home commencements in over a decade, meaning these ongoing shortages of skilled trades are not being caused by home building activity,” stated HIA Chief Economist, Tim Reardon.
“There were 48,620 new homes approved for construction in the first quarter of 2025, up by 20.8 per cent on a year earlier,” stated HIA Senior Economist Tom Devitt.
“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) calls on the newly elected Federal Government to make housing a first-order priority from day one, any delay or political grandstanding will only deepen the nation’s housing crisis,” HIA Managing Director Jocelyn Martin said today.