Master Builders Victoria (MBV) will be hosting the Treasurer of Victoria, Tim Pallas, in a forum on Tuesday 28 September to update the industry on the current situation with key supply shortages impacting the building and construction sector.

The Treasurer will be joined in the online discussion by the Commissioner for Better Regulation and Red Tape Commissioner, Anna Cronin, along with industry representatives including builders, retailers, and suppliers.

Master Builders Victoria (MBV) is disappointed by the Victorian Government’s decision to shut down the building and construction industry across metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and the Surf Coast and Mitchell Shires from 11.59pm on Monday 20 September 2021.

MBV CEO Rebecca Casson said it was a bitter blow for the vast majority of building and construction industry businesses which have done the right thing over the past 18 months, and particularly disheartening for those workers who have been vaccinated.

Master Builders Victoria (MBV) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Victorian Government to introduce mandatory vaccinations in the building and construction industry.

To continue working, construction workers state-wide will need to show evidence to their employer that they have had a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 11:59pm Thursday, 23 September.

Limited medical exemptions and proof-of-booking exceptions will apply, in line with previous requirements for residential aged care workers.

Master Builders Victoria and the Property Council have welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement to boost building and construction workforce vaccination rates and undertake a four-week compliance and enforcement blitz to ensure worksites are properly implementing COVIDSafe measures.

Victoria’s 320,000 building and construction workers are being urged to ‘Get the jab done’ so everyone can get back to work as part of a new industry-led vaccination campaign launched this week.

An extensive billboard campaign, together with co-branded social media material including videos featuring personalised messaging from members, mail outs, and other communications has been arranged as part of the drive.

Master Builders Victoria (MBV) can confirm that there have been some cases of COVID-19 emerge in Victoria’s building and construction industry. 

Each case is being efficiently managed, consistent with the sector’s COVID-19 Industry Guidelines that were implemented at the start of the pandemic.

MBV CEO Rebecca Casson said a construction project in Box Hill has seen a significant outbreak, where at present, 20 trade sub-contractors have tested positive.

Victoria’s economy grew by 1.4 per cent during the June 2021 quarter, a little stronger than expected by market watchers.

In contrast, Australia’s economy grew by just 0.7 per cent during the June 2021 quarter.

Compared with a year earlier, State Final Demand (SFD) in Victoria was up by a whopping 10.5 per cent.