“We’re really trying to get a level of confidence back in the industry,” he told ABC’s Radio National this morning.
Mr Butt said the support could keep apprentices in jobs, who have “absolutely” been losing their employment.
“Unfortunately they are seen as being dispensable for many people, yet they’re really the future of our industry.”
Yesterday, Housing Minister Michael Sukkar brushed off the industry’s request for a lifeline.
He said the government already had economic support in place, “[Of] which the construction industry is a massive beneficiary, particularly through JobKeeper and our support for apprentice wages,” he told AAP.
“We are continually monitoring the effect that COVID-19 is having on the economy, and I am in constant contact with key stakeholders and the states and territories to ensure new homes can still be built and tradies stay in jobs.”
Master Builders has pointed to economic modelling showing $13.2 billion in stimulus would result in $30.9 billion in gross domestic product while creating 105,500 construction jobs.
They claim it would also lead to $17.6 billion in construction across housing, renovations and commercial construction.
with AAP
