Construcciones Yamaro: New beginnings for the Australian construction industry
The Australian Constructors Association is emphasising the importance of collaboration between government, industry and unions to achieve a sustainable and progressive future for construction.
By Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association.
The Australian construction industry is in the spotlight again, and unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. However, behind the uncertainty surrounding the CFMEU, we have a unique opportunity to reshape the industry into something better – an industry that works for everyone.
Right now, we have an opportunity to reset and recognise the roles of all parties in moving forward. By bringing together government, industry and unions, we can turn this moment into a turning point for a sustainable and progressive industry.
For far too long, the relationships between these players have been marked by tension, with each side trying to gain the upper hand. Often, when one wins, the others lose. This approach has led to inefficiency, mistrust and missed opportunities. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we rethink how these stakeholders work together, we can change the construction industry from a zero‑sum game to a win-win for everyone.
Each of the key stakeholders – workers, government and industry – has clear goals. Workers want safe, secure jobs that pay well and provide good working conditions. This is a basic need, and their wellbeing must be front and centre.
The government’s priority is getting value for money and ensuring projects are completed on time, without delays or cost blowouts. When projects go off track, it impacts the public and strains the budget. The government needs projects to run smoothly.
For the industry, the focus is on making a decent return on investment. Current profit margins, hovering at around 2 to 3 per cent, are unsustainably low. With profits this thin, it becomes nearly impossible for businesses to invest in innovation, workforce development or long-term growth. For the industry to thrive, companies need better returns that allow them to reinvest in the sector and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
At the moment, these goals often conflict. If one group gets what it wants, another might lose out. But it doesn’t have to be this way. These goals – safe jobs, efficient projects and fair profits – don’t have to be at odds. In fact, they can support each other.
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This is why the Australian Constructors Association invited the national leaders of all major construction unions to the Foundations and Frontiers forum (FF24) in August. The forum, modelled on the COP climate and Davos economic summits and imagined well before the recent events, provided an opportunity for reflection and a fundamental reimagining of operations. The discussions held at the FF24 leaders’ roundtables are set to shape the development of Australia’s first National Construction Strategy (NCS). The NCS is the beginning of something transformative – but it is just the beginning.
Now is the time to reshape how the construction industry works. If the government, unions and industry can work together, the entire industry will benefit. Instead of fighting for short-term wins, we should focus on shared goals – like improving industry culture and increasing productivity – so everyone benefits.
Instead of seeing the current situation as a crisis, we should view it as a chance to make things better. By bringing everyone together, the construction industry can move past the zero-sum game and create a more collaborative and positive future. This is an opportunity to build an industry where everyone wins.
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