“Together with the home building industry, HIA recognises that boosting Australia’s productivity should rightly be the central focus of government policy.

“Current regulatory policy settings are having a profound impact on economic growth, innovation and Australia’s competitiveness which are crippling the home building sector increasing the problem of housing affordability. 

“If Australia hopes to increase economic growth and budget resilience, policymakers need to carefully examine the costs and benefits of all existing and any proposed new regulations regarding housing.

“This principle should apply to all levels and areas of government - industry is sick of hearing it is not my responsibility or that’s someone else’s problem. It’s a whole of government, industry and society problem. Every time they seek to adopt new regulation all levels of government should be asked to also make corresponding regulation cuts,” said Ms Martin.

“If Australia wants to become a global leader in innovation, the government can’t ignore the impact its regulatory system is having by creating road blocks to greater technology uptake and holding back industry investment scaling up.

“Policymakers need to prioritise reforms that maintain important quality protections while still allowing builders to get on with the job, without unnecessary regulations getting in the way and driving up costs.

“For instance, fast tracking housing approvals under a ‘One House One Approval’ approach, alongside clearing the significant backlog of projects stuck awaiting environmental approvals could unlock hundreds of thousands of homes in one fell swoop at the same time spur investment in housing and its multiplier effect on the economy.

“Putting a pause on the churn of change to the NCC and WHS rules is another key area for reform. Inconsistent, duplicating and conflicting rules across these policy areas from different agencies continue to impose costs on regulated entities and mean more time in offices navigating red tape than on site building homes.

“Lastly, we need a strong, workable and practical energy policy setting for the country that provides industry with certainty, consistency, reliability, choice and competitive pricing.

“Our industry leaders continue to tell us the most effective thing governments can do in boosting innovation and productivity – is to stay out of the way and let business get on with business. HIA and industry is now demanding that real and meaningful reform actions are committed to with clear timelines,“ concluded Ms Martin.

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