A New Commander in Construction

After years in conflict zones and political war rooms, Matt Moran has a new mission rebuilding confidence and capacity in Western Australia’s construction industry.

As the newly appointed CEO of Master Builders WA (MBAWA), Moran brings a career steeped in strategy, crisis management, and leadership from army deployments in Afghanistan and East Timor, to media advising the Prime Minister, to corporate strategy roles in defence manufacturing.

Now, his challenge is closer to home: restoring stability to an industry facing skills shortages, insolvencies, red tape, and a growing housing backlog.

“The industry is full of talent,” Moran says, “but businesses are constrained by the current skills shortages, excessive red tape, complicated regulations and supply challenges. There’s plenty of work, but some builders are worried about scaling up because it’s not worth the risk.”

From Defence to Development

Moran’s CV reads like a blueprint for crisis control.

• Defence strategist and Army veteran, serving as a public affairs officer in active conflict zones.
• Executive Director of Defence West, overseeing strategic engagement between industry and government.
• Head of Strategy and Government Relations at Luerssen Australia, guiding major naval shipbuilding programs.
• Award-winning journalist, earning a Walkley, Paul Lyneham Award, and two UN Association Media Awards.
• Media adviser to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull during some of Australia’s most turbulent political years.

That career path might seem a world away from scaffolds and site sheds, but for Moran, the skills are transferable.

“Understanding how systems work and knowing the right people to speak to is critical,” he says. “I’ve worked well with both sides of politics over the years. You must be pragmatic and focus on achieving outcomes.”

A Sector Under Pressure

The timing of Moran’s appointment is no coincidence. Western Australia’s builders have endured a perfect storm:

• Insolvencies remain high, with thin margins and rising input costs.
• Labour shortages are delaying projects and inflating wages.
• Construction costs have risen more than 40% in five years, while build times have ballooned by 80% over the past 15.
• Consumer confidence remains shaky after a string of builder collapses.

When asked to rate the financial health of WA’s building sector, Moran’s answer was blunt: “Five out of ten.”

That realism is part of his appeal. Rather than spin optimism, he’s focusing on structural reform addressing the skills pipeline, improving business acumen, and lobbying for smarter policy settings that help builders scale safely.

“We must incentivise employers to hire apprentices and make a career in the industry attractive for young people,” he says. “We need to focus on supply-side solutions to the housing crisis.”

The FutureBuild Academy: Training the Next Wave

One of Moran’s first major initiatives is the FutureBuild Academy, MBAWA’s new group training organisation designed to attract and retain apprentices across multiple trades.

“Labour shortages are the single biggest pressure point, ahead of rising material costs,” he says. “We need to train more apprentices, and MBAWA is determined to be part of the solution.”

According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 3,820 people started a trades apprenticeship in WA in the March 2024 quarter, a modest 5.8% rise on the year prior, but still well below the levels needed to meet demand.

The National Housing Accord’s target of 1.2 million new homes in five years is already testing every state’s capacity, and Moran believes Western Australia will need “a whole-of-system shift” to come close.

“Bricklayers, for example, are in short supply, some are charging up to $3.50 per brick. That’s not sustainable. We need to grow our workforce quickly and change the perception that university is the only path to success.”

Restoring Confidence and Clarity

Moran’s approach combines advocacy and strategy; he’s equally at home briefing ministers as he is talking to small builders on the ground.

He’s also clear that government collaboration, not confrontation, will be key.

“Until governments make it easier to do business and de-risk projects as much as possible, we’ll struggle to meet demand,” he says.

MBAWA’s agenda under his leadership includes:

• Streamlining regulations to cut project delays.
• Improving financial literacy for new builders to prevent insolvencies.
• Enhancing safety and training standards through FutureBuild.
• Promoting construction as a first-choice career for school leavers and veterans alike.

These aren’t flashy fixes, they’re structural. And that’s exactly how Moran likes it.

“It’s about getting the fundamentals right. Builders want certainty and support to deliver homes and infrastructure. If we can simplify the system and strengthen skills pipelines, the rest will follow.”

Confidence in the WA Economy

Despite the pressure, Moran remains bullish on WA’s broader economic foundations.

“WA has a very strong economy, with solid fundamentals and key trading relationships,” he says. “While there may be some uncertainty with iron ore, the state is in an enviable position when you consider the prospects for growth and diversification.”

Ongoing investment in major infrastructure, resources, and population-driven projects will continue to underpin demand for construction. For MBAWA, the challenge will be ensuring industry capacity keeps pace.

“WA’s building and construction industry faces an enormous task,” Moran says. “But with the right policy environment and training focus, we can meet that challenge head-on.”

Building a Legacy of Leadership

From briefing generals and prime ministers to championing apprentices and tradies, Matt Moran’s career has come full circle back to building in the most literal sense.

His message to the industry is one of optimism grounded in realism.

“Western Australia’s builders are resilient and capable,” he says. “We just need to clear the barriers holding them back. My role is to help them do what they do best, build.”

In a state known for its grit and independence, Moran’s brand of disciplined, strategic leadership might be exactly what the industry needs: a steady hand in a high-pressure environment.

Because whether it’s a battlefield or a building site, one thing remains constant, success depends on strong leadership, teamwork, and a clear plan of attack.

Author: TGB Editorial