“LIES,

damned lies, and statistics” is a phrase initially uttered by Mark Twain to describe the persuasive power of numbers used to bolster weak arguments.

That builders ‘employ most of the 1.2 million jobs in the construction industry workforce’ (Letter, June 16, 2018, Denita Dawn; CEO Master Builders) is a good example.

Approximately 350,000 Australian subcontractors (SMEs) underwrite; undertake and service every element of Australia’s construction industry for builders and it is they who provide the majority of the 1.2 million jobs that Ms Dawn seeks to incorrectly attribute to builders.

The majority of these SME’s are not members of the MBA

It is Australia’s subcontractors who bear the brunt of $18 billion every year attributable to builder insolvency and non payment.

It is a national disgrace that sees many subcontracting SME’s forced from the industry as a result of both. The plight of Gold Coast subcontractors, and the serious impacts on the GC economy and jobs, is regularly reported in this newspaper

Historically the Master Builders Association have opposed the use of project trust/bank accounts to protect and secure subcontractors revenue.

That opposition is best exemplified by the recent statewide fullpage newspaper advertising and billboards erected along the Gold Coast motorway opposing their introduction in Queensland.

While subcontractors would welcome a tax break, they would rather be paid in the first place.

LES WILLIAMS, SUBCONTRACTORS ALLIANCE