Building and Construction Industry

French opposed the motion, stating that the government inherited a severe skills shortage with apprentice commencements having fallen significantly between 2014 and 2019. French argued that apprentice numbers were actually up 15 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, with over 320,000 in training and completion rates 34 per cent higher than in 2019. French highlighted the permanent free TAFE act guaranteeing 100,000 places annually from 2027, and new incentives including up to $10,000 for housing construction apprentices. French attributed the slowdown in housing approvals to the unwinding of previous stimulus measures rather than current government policy.

Spender acknowledged the skills shortage but argued the problem extended beyond apprenticeship commencements, noting that construction workers are in persistent shortage with a projected need for 500,000 additional workers by 2029. Spender called for urgent reforms to skilled migration, including a designated construction visa, and the removal of occupational licensing barriers for overseas qualifications. Spender also advocated for structural changes such as tying infrastructure investment to zoning, ending measures like the five per cent deposit scheme, and transitioning from stamp duty to land tax to improve housing allocation.

Claydon supported the government’s record, detailing the expansion of the Key Apprenticeship Program to include housing construction with up to $10,000 in incentives, which had already attracted 4,700 apprentices. Claydon noted that 475 of these new apprentices were from the Newcastle electorate and highlighted increases in living-away-from-home allowances and disability wage support. Claydon emphasised the success of free TAFE, with over 650,000 enrolments and 170,000 completions, including 48,000 in construction. Claydon pointed to a $60 million investment in a net zero manufacturing centre of excellence in Newcastle as part of the broader strategy.