STORY: Workforce shortage jeopardizing Australian infrastructure projects: report 
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 12, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 14, 2023
LENGTH: 00:00:57
LOCATION: Canberra
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of construction sites 

STORYLINE:

Major Australian infrastructure projects are under threat from massive workforce shortages, a government report has warned.
   
Infrastructure Australia on Tuesday published its annual market capacity report, revealing a shortfall of 229,000 public infrastructure workers.
   
According to the report, the shortfall - as well as a shortage of construction materials - is jeopardizing infrastructure projects worth 230 billion Australian dollars (151 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years, Australia's green energy transition, and a government plan to build 1.2 million new homes.
   
"With so much construction activity underway, the industry is finding it increasingly difficult to source key building materials and workers - particularly engineers, skilled trades and laborers," Adam Copp, chief executive of Infrastructure Australia, said in a statement.
   
"A clear message in this year's report is that limited access to local steel and cement, as well as localized shortages of quarry products is contributing to price uncertainty in the supply chain, leading to delays and cost overruns."
   
It marks the third consecutive year that Infrastructure Australia has reported significant workforce shortages.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Canberra.
(XHTV)