BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TOPS FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT

The building and construction sector is now the biggest full-time employer in Victoria.

During 2017, full-time construction employment grew by 9 per cent, adding about 20,100 new full-time jobs to the state economy.

This clearly demonstrates how much Victoria relies on the steady planning and delivery of infrastructure and housing to keep it a great place to live and do business. It also points to what we, as Victorians, have to lose if we don’t make this possible.

Last year over 127,000 people were added to the state population, and there is no slow-down in sight. As Victoria grows more rapidly than other states, the need for a Minister for Building, who can guide progress and coordinate the efforts of other cross-portfolio Ministers, grows with it. It’s crucial that the Government seizes this opportunity for progress.

It becomes more urgent every day to provide the homes, aged care facilities, schools and transportation infrastructure we will need to accommodate the estimated 8 million residents by 2051.

This is a time when change and fast action on critical projects, and issues like long-needed planning reforms, trades registration and investment in training, are of huge importance to Victorians. If we match the need for reform with the ability to execute those reforms to drive jobs, business viability and growth, it is exciting to think of what could be achieved for the good of us all.