ACIF critical of decision to dump Productivity Review

Feb. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- The Australian Construction Industry Forum (ACIF) is critical of the reported decision to mothball the COAG Review Panel on Construction Costs and Productivity.

"ACIF had welcomed the Review as a way to focus on opportunities to lift the structural and operational performance of the industry," said Executive Director of ACIF, Peter Barda.

"It's a pity that COAG couldn't get this piece of its program right."

"The construction industry employs around a million people and generates more than 10% of GDP, and this review had the potential to spotlight ways to deliver more value to all Australians."

"We probably shouldn't be surprised at this about face, given the delay in appointing the panel members," Barda said. "But it is very disappointing."

"The industry had been waiting for the members of the panel to be announced, as a trigger for the timetable for the review, announced in July 2012, to be implemented.”

ACIF and its members are preparing a series of recommendations to lift productivity in the industry, and will be seeking bi-partisan support for them throughout the year.