A corporate body representing the building industry says the current workplace relations system is blocking hiring and preventing training, while strikes are driving up costs at work sites around the country.

Master Builders Australia has hit out at union influence in the industry, saying workers pushing for improved rights are lowering productivity.

Master Builders is not too enthused about infrastructure charges from state and local governments either, saying they push up housing prices and discourage developments.

“While increasing our infrastructure productivity will require action across a number of policy domains,” Master Builders’ submission to a federal commission warned.

“An essential element must be meaningful labour market reforms, focusing on reinforcing the rule of law in critical sectors of the building and construction industry as a means of reducing construction costs and lifting labour productivity.”

Master Builders Australia has recently been pushing for a range of reforms.

They want to see an option for non-union agreements on new (greenfields) projects, and have strongly supported the Coalition's desire to restore the Australian Building & Construction Commission.

Heavy workplace law reforms are in the firing line of the Federal Government, which has the support of several authorities claiming environmental and workplace relations are keeping infrastructure and other development costs sky high.