Wednesday, 12 November 2025

 Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (13:30): I recently attended the Melbourne Build Expo and met with some of the most innovative architects, builders, planners and developers from around the nation. It was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from those on the front line of housing delivery and to learn more about the practical innovations shaping the homes of the future. The message was clear: if we are serious about tackling the housing shortage, government must work hand in hand with the people who actually build the homes. That means embracing modern construction methods like modular housing, strengthening planning systems to provide more certainty and supporting well-located medium- and high-density housing near transport, services and jobs. The sector stands ready to build more homes – and quickly – provided there is clear direction, streamlined approvals and consistent regulatory settings. The future outlook for housing in Victoria and Australia reinforced the scale of the challenge but also the opportunity in front of us. The strong theme was collaboration – that government, industry and community must work together to unlock supply and deliver housing at scale. I met with Dan McKenna, the CEO of Housing All Australians, to discuss how we build a nation where everyone has a safe place to call home. After the expo I visited a Victorian modular housing manufacturer, Timber Building Systems, to see firsthand how modern construction can speed up delivery and improve housing outcomes. The build expo showed that with collaboration and innovation we can deliver the homes that Victorians want and the homes that Victorians need.