- Vaccination rate is being held back due to disagreements, the MBA said
- MBA has launched a campaign to boost vaccinations in the construction sector
- $26M in construction wages are being lost weekly due to lockdowns
The vaccination rate is being held back due to a lack of trust from Premiers and Chief Ministers to honour the national plan to reopen, said Denita Wawn, the CEO of Masters Builders Australia (MBA) today.
The announcement comes as the MBA has today launched an advertising campaign to boost vaccination within the construction industry.
“Builders and tradies, particularly in men aged 40 and under don’t believe Premiers and Chief Ministers will keep their promise to open up when vaccination rates reach 70% and 80%,” said Ms Wawn.
“Master Builders is committing its resources to encourage our industry to do the right thing and get vaccinated.
“We need state and territory leaders to play their part and stop disincentivising vaccination.”
Denita Wawn, CEO Masters Builders Association
Ms Wawn noted that while the vast majority of builders and tradies aren’t anti-vaxxers, easing restrictions and phasing out lockdowns remains the biggest incentive for individuals to get vaccinated.
She argued that the refusal by all state and territory leaders to commit fully to honouring the commitment made at National Cabinet – that at 80% of the population fully vaccinated lockdowns would effectively cease – is reducing people’s drive to get the vaccine.
“Premiers and Chief Ministers talking up vaccines while changing the goalposts on reopening is creating a Covid catch-22 that’s going to keep us all locked for longer unless they pledge to keep their promise,” she added.
According to the MBA, $26 million in building and construction wages a week are at risk due to the ongoing lockdowns.
“A clear commitment that the promise at National Cabinet will be honoured is about to become even more important as more vaccines and vaccine does enter the country in September and October.”
“People in our industry see trust as a two-way street. They are willing to doing their bit to be vaccinated, but in return they want state and territory governments [to] do their part and commit to opening up when vaccination rates reach 70% and 80%,” Ms Wawn concluded.
