Geraldton builder David Crothers welcomes government support for WA building industry

Geraldton builder David Crothers has welcomed the stimulus packages announced by the State and Federal Governments, saying they are a “very important step to keep businesses running”. The packages are designed to provide financial relief to small and medium-sized businesses, which are eligible for one-off grants, payroll tax exemption and increased instant asset write-off to encourage businesses to continue spending. The grants will subsidise the cost of staff and apprentices. Mr Crothers, who is also president of the Master Builders Association in Western Australia, said he strongly endorsed the apprentice wage subsidies. “We must keep training during this time if we want to return to a strong industry,” he said. “The stimulus package has targeted smaller businesses because it’s in the best interest of the government.” Under the Federal Government’s package $1.2 billion was allocated to cover 50 per cent of the apprentice or trainee’s wage for up to nine months until September. Master Builders WA executive director John Gelavis said the building industry employed more than 40 per cent of the State’s apprentices. “We strongly back the moves to help businesses, particularly small businesses, keep workers and apprentices employed,” he said. “The danger with economic shocks is that the labour market recovers slower than the rest of the economy, so the moves to avoid workforce shrinkage are well targeted.”