The Master Plumbers' Association will call on the next ACT government to establish a coordinator-general for business to ease cost-of-living pressures and drive economic productivity.
The MPA has outlined their manifesto for the upcoming election, saying the plumbing and trades sector should be a key focus.
The proposed coordinator-general for business would sit within existing government resources. The MPA says it would "tackle the issues faced in our current regulatory settings".
The coordinator-general for housing was established in 2023 to oversee and coordinate the government's approach to increasing housing access, choice and affordability.
The next government will be asked to collaborate with the business sector in establishing the new role to future-proof the industry, extend deregulation efforts, and identify possible areas for tax reform.
MPA chief executive Shane Martin said the trade industry often struggled interacting with the government.
"By establishing a coordinator general for business, we can streamline and improve small to medium business dealings with government and allow them to do what they do best and get on with the job."
The MPA will also call on the incoming government to increase the involvement of subcontractors to expand the capacity of the trades industry.
The next government will be encouraged to work with the business sector to increase productivity and assist in the production of homes.
"Tradies run their own business and often struggle when they need to deal with the government at a variety of different levels in various different directorates costing them time and money," Mr Martin said.
The MPA will encourage the incoming government to fund an apprentice and tradie campaign to entice individuals into the sector.
"By opting for the VET pathway, people leaving school can earn an income faster, become qualified while having on the job training and then go on to run their own business while playing an integral role in the economy of Canberra," said Mr Martin.
The MPA says the ACT is at risk of not having sufficient capacity in the trades sector, and reminds Canberrans higher education isn't the only pathway.
"We must tackle our skills pipeline issues and implement strategic policy changes to allow our trades industry to thrive in the next term of government," said Mr Martin.
"We are launching our election platform because we need the doers on the ground to build and maintain the homes of our future."
The MPA says it remains committed to working collaboratively with government to implement their initiatives.
