The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) welcomes the Queensland Government’s grants for first home-owners and small business.

Suresh Manickam, CEO of NECA, said:

“This is the type of investment program that NECA has been calling for, creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs that will help to rebuild the Queensland economy.  The broad range of projects mean there will be opportunities for electrical contracting firms large and small.

“As our COVID-19 Industry Impact Survey shows, electrical contractors are hurting and expect the pain to worsen without government stimulus as the pipeline dries up.  The Queensland Government’s program should help to alleviate some of that pain, protecting livelihoods and supporting much-needed construction projects that will put the Queensland economy on a strong footing for the long-term.

The package includes:

$100M housing construction – Works for Tradies – to boost housing supply, drive economic activity and support construction across Queensland.

$50M SEQ community stimulus program – further funding to local government to support minor works and projects that create local jobs in impacted areas in South East Queensland.

$106M first home owner grants and regional home building boost – to re-affirm our commitment to the $15,000 first home-owner grants program for any Queensland first home buyers purchasing a new home valued at less than $750,000; and provide an additional $5,000 grant for buyers of a new home (with the home being owner occupied and valued up to $750,000) in a regional location.

$10M seniors and accessibility assistance – to continue providing services for seniors and people with disabilities to conduct critical home maintenance.

$1.175M regional training infrastructure – to upgrade existing TAFE training campuses.

Mr Manickam added:

“As well as this investment, we also need structural reforms to regulations across tax, payments and employment and we urge the Queensland Government to work with its Federal counterparts to deliver lasting change that promotes growth and makes it easier for businesses to thrive as we emerge from the COVID crisis.”

ENDS