As the 48th Parliament opens on 22 July 2025, it does so in a profoundly altered political and economic landscape. Labor enters with its strongest Senate position since 1984 and a clear majority in the House of Representatives. This shift transforms how business and industry need to engage with government — especially those of us working on the ground in construction, trades, and training.

The big idea driving this Parliament is what commentators are calling “supply-side progressivism” — a term popularised by Ezra Klein and now clearly informing the Albanese Government’s economic approach. It’s a break from traditional redistributive politics. Instead of just managing scarcity, this new framework aims to dramatically increase the supply of essential services and infrastructure: housing, energy, skills, care, and more.

This matters for the wall and ceiling industry. If the first term was about stabilising the economy and navigating crisis, this second term is about unlocking supply and boosting productivity — the real "P word" that defines this government’s reform lens.

The Treasurer has set a clear tone: “reform from the centre, in a world of polarising extremes.” His three economic priorities — productivity, budget sustainability, and economic resilience — are now the filters through which every idea, every policy, and every investment must pass. That includes in housing construction, skills development, and regulatory reform.

At AWCI Australia, this aligns with our national advocacy agenda. Our own five pillars for reform —

1. Clear Legislative Frameworks
2. Industry Standards and Quality Assurance
3. Tailored Education & Professional Training
4. Robust Compliance and Enforcement
5. Proactive Stakeholder Engagement

— mirror the government’s supply-side priorities.

But engaging with this Parliament requires a shift in how we advocate. Gone are the days of asking for programs without proving outcomes. This government wants specific, cost-neutral (or positive) solutions that unlock barriers to growth. The Treasurer’s August economic roundtable, with just 25 invited stakeholders, underlines the point: bring ideas that serve the national interest, not narrow interests.

On the opposition benches, Sussan Ley’s recalibration of the Liberal Party around a more “sensible centre” offers future opportunities for bipartisanship, but not without patience. The opposition has ground to cover before it regains traction — but the signals are there that industry stakeholders will be heard.

The compressed timeline on key issues like aged care reform, student debt relief, and housing affordability also opens a rare window for policy input. With reform now being driven through committees and backbench engagement — not just the frontbench — there are new channels for industry voices to help shape implementation, not just respond to it.

In a Parliament where the core question is “How do we increase supply?”, our answer as an industry must be bold and credible. How do we bring more qualified workers into the trade? How do we help contractors and workers formalise skills? How do we support training pathways that keep up with demand?

The “P word” — productivity — is now the currency of reform. And for AWCI Australia, that means stepping up, not just as an industry body, but as a partner in national progress.

We’re ready. Are you?