Canberra Liberals fail to set up construction sector investigation
The Canberra Liberals have failed in a bid to set up a board of inquiry into the ACT's construction sector.
Opposition planning and infrastructure spokesman Alistair Coe says government regulations and interference are contributing to a downturn in the industry.
He called for an independent inquiry to consider fees and charges, planning laws, worker safety and land releases.
"Whether you're looking at land release, whether you're looking at the charges, the regulatory burden and numerous other things, they all add up to at times providing an insurmountable obstacle for the sector," he said.
"It's very important that we have all the conditions set correctly so that that sector of the economy can be firing on all cylinders."
But the Sustainable Development Minister Simon Corbell says it is not the job of a board of inquiry to undertake research for the Canberra Liberals.
"This proposal today is entirely a political tactic, a political stunt and an attempt by the Liberal Party to get someone else, preferably the taxpayer, to pay for their own policy development," he said.
Mr Corbell says the most devastating impact on confidence in the ACT construction sector is federal public service job cuts.
"Talk to anyone around town today about the impact of uncertainty associated with the massive level of redundancy and the forthcoming Commission of Audit and they will tell you it's having a big impact, a big impact on the construction sector and on confidence in investment," he said.
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Canberra Liberals fail to set up construction sector investigation