25 March 2025
Queensland’s building and construction industry is on the starting blocks to deliver the program of works for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – but red tape must be cut and productivity restored on building sites to help it reach the finish line.
As the dual cost-of-living and housing crises persist, building data confirms the state is well short of the necessary housing targets. On top of the Games infrastructure announced by the Crisafulli Government today, the enormous pipeline of essential community projects such as hospitals and schools continues as the state’s population booms.
Against this backdrop, Master Builders has launched its updated Policy & Advocacy Agenda.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint. We need government to support our industry to deliver the legacy of world-class Games infrastructure, so we don’t fall at the final hurdle,” CEO Paul Bidwell said.
“We are committed to tackling low productivity and unnecessary layers of regulation in building and construction, and this agenda is a roadmap to a more productive and streamlined future for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.
“The starting gun has already been fired. We’ve applauded the Crisafulli Government for freezing Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC), pausing the roll out of Project Trust Accounts as part of the Building Reg Reno plan, and re-establishing the Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC); but there’s no time for complacency.
“Our advocacy is laser-focused on further cutting red tape, turning around declining rates of productivity, and finding new ways to build that don’t compromise safety or quality.
“Scrapping BPIC for good would help industry achieve our ‘personal best’ on the big-ticket items for the Games, and other state government projects.
“Our analysis shows up to 96 days were being lost in a calendar year under BPIC, where the union was micro-managing working arrangements. We need industry working five days a week, within safety requirements, to ensure delivery on time and on budget. We are hopeful the CFMEU administration will support actions that improve productivity.
“If we are to deliver the infrastructure needed for a world-class Games, government needs to review its procurement process so that contractors are not shackled with unfair contract terms, tender processes are streamlined, and all Queensland businesses are able to be part of building the legacy infrastructure.
“Industry needs greater visibility and certainty on the pipeline of works not only for the Olympic and Paralympic Games venues outlined today, but of the overall program, so we can better allocate our already stretched resources in the years to 2032.
“Right now, the statewide structural skills shortage is challenging project timelines and driving up costs. We need to do more to attract skilled workers to our industry and retain them for the long run, and improving school pathways, incentivising apprenticeships, helping small businesses cover the costs of employing young workers, and encouraging more women to the industry, are all key to growing our workforce.
“The eyes of the world will be on Queensland, and we need government not only to champion our industry, but to collaborate with us as we work to place our state at the top of the winners’ podium.”
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