Calls for more social housing as construction activity hits record low

Abstract

Industry groups are calling for greater investment in social housing, fast-tracked infrastructure and incentives for home building after construction activity hit a new record low in April.

New orders, employment and average wages all plunged to record lows in the closely followed Australian Performance of Construction Index, contributing to the fastest one-month decline since records began in 2005.

Builders also reported supply chain delays, cost increases, and raw material shortages – with all industry sub-sectors suffering accelerated rates of contraction.