PM promises $10k cash bonus for apprentice tradies
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will promise $10,000 cash for apprentices who work in residential construction, as part of a push to build much-needed homes.
From July, eligible apprentices in housing or clean energy will receive the bonus, paid in five instalments of $2000.
It comes as labour shortages in the construction sector are pushing up the cost of building, and young people claim they can earn more stacking shelves.
The $626 million commitment is the first time the allowance has been increased since 2003.
It’s designed to boost the construction workforce to help meet Labor’s goal of building 1.2 million new homes by 2029.
Albanese will make the announcement during an address at the National Press Club on Friday.
You might like
“We recognise the next generation of tradies — the people we’re counting on to build the new homes we need — are under significant financial pressure,” he will say in his speech.
“Too many leave training, because they can’t afford to stay.
“Right now, a first-year carpentry apprentice earns about two-thirds of the minimum wage.
“As a number have said, they could earn a lot more stacking shelves in their local supermarket.”
Albanese will say his government wants to encourage more Australians to “get on the tools”.
“More new homes, more new energy and more support for the tradies who will build both.”
Stay informed, daily
With voters set to hit the ballot boxes before May 17, Albanese is expected to use the upcoming opportunity as a pre-election launching pad.
He has spent the first weeks of the year courting voters across the country with infrastructure funding and a promise to “build Australia’s future”.
He promised $7.2 billion for the Bruce Highway in Queensland and $3 billion for the NBN, among his campaign-style announcements.
Cost of living is expected to be at the front of voters’ minds at this year’s federal election.
Though the government has provided relief through changes to prescriptions, energy bill help and other policies, polling suggests Australians have grown increasingly disillusioned with Labor.
“Australians can’t afford to pay their grocery bills, they can’t afford to pay their insurance bills, they can’t afford to pay their school fees,” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton told reporters.
Dutton has promised to build nuclear reactors and made several of his own infrastructure announcements, but voters are also appear unsure of the coalition, based on polling.
Many have instead turned to independents and minor parties, increasing the likelihood of a minority government.
-with AAP
