Michael Sukkar MP

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BAN A CHAOTIC AND CONFUSING RESPONSE

THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP
Assistant Treasurer
Minister for Housing
Minister for Homelessness, Social and Community Housing

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 21 September 2021

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION BAN A CHAOTIC AND CONFUSING RESPONSE

Today, more than 320,000 Victorian workers in the building and construction industry – representing 9.3 per cent of all Victorian jobs – are seemingly being punished for the actions of a violent minority of CFMMEU protesters yesterday.

The late-night decision by the Victorian State Government to close down all building and construction work in Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and the Mitchell Shire will hurt countless Victorians who rely on this crucial industry.

Whether it’s the apprentice carpenter from Frankston, the brickie from Geelong or the concreter from Ballarat, these Victorians should not be made to suffer as retaliation for the actions of violent protesters in Carlton yesterday.

Not to mention the first home buyers, renovators and home builders who will suffer financially as a result of their projects being delayed and lives disrupted.

And sadly, all Victorians will suffer, with the economic cost of this decision estimated to be $2.2 billion in construction activity and almost $640 million in lost wages over two weeks.

Given the chaotic way this decision was made and announced, many workers will have awoken to the news that their sites have been closed down and their work taken away, with no warning and no consultation, as this announcement was made just before 10.00pm.

All law-abiding Victorians, including those in the building and construction industry, rightly expect to be treated more fairly by their State Government.

Having suffered some of the longest lockdowns anywhere in the world, the last thing Victorians need at this time is more distress and chaos.