Housing affordability is being pushed up by a lack of housing supply, yet the problem is barely mentioned in governmental policy discussion, Master Builders Australia (MBA) says.
The construction group, deeply concerned about challenges presented in the midyear budget review in December, calls for funding to resource a restored Australian Building and Construction Commission so it can confront the "resurgence of unlawful behaviour by building unions", particularly in the first year of its renewed operations.
The MBA also wants Treasurer Joe Hockey to restore business confidence in his first May budget with sound economic management and a surplus.
"Confidence is fundamental to the wellbeing of the building and construction industry and its capacity to contribute to economic and jobs growth," MBA chief executive Wilhelm Harnisch said in a pre-budget submission.
Master Builders wants to see a "reinvigorated and effective" Council of Australian Governments and a national payment to state and local governments to remove regulations to improve the supply-side efficiency of the housing market.
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"The lack of housing supply and its impact on housing affordability continues to be important but is largely missing from the public policy narrative," Mr Harnisch said.
He believes the industry is one of the most regulated sectors and is calling for the government to pare back the red and green tape.
He also said that as the building industry entered a period of forecast recovery, the sector's lack of skilled tradespeople was a concern.
Master Builders says the government must maintain its investment in post-secondary skills training and deliver assistance to employers for trade apprenticeships.
