Apprentices in construction will be given $10,000 from the federal government, in a bid to boost numbers in the beleaguered building sector.

The allowance will be given to tradie apprentices living away from home, in increments of $2000 each, on top of their wages.

Those eligible include bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers.

Albanese noted first-year carpentry apprentices earn two-thirds of the minimum wage.

“That’s before you buy things like tools, safety gear, clothing and boots,” he said. 

“Many apprentices have said they could earn more stacking shelves at the supermarket, and too many leave training because they simply can’t afford to stay.”

In the speech, Albanese described himself as an “infrastructure nerd”.

“Infrastructure matters to me because I’ve seen the difference that it can make to people,” he said.

“To communities. To our regions. To our economy. To our national way of life.”

The cost of living has become the most important issue for Australian voters ahead of this year’s election.

Albanese is working to reclaim a lead in the polling, with the latest surveys showing the Coalition slightly ahead on a two-party-preferred basis.

“I can promise every Australian this: We will keep working, every day, to get your costs down,” he said.

Albanese pointed out real wage growth has been positive for four quarters in a row.

Speaking earlier today, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the tradie shortage is the fault of the Labor government.

“Labor has created this perfect storm,” he said.

“Under Labor, over the course of the last two and a half years, apprenticeship numbers are through the floor and this is why in part the housing crisis has been created.”

In his own election pledge, Dutton announced small businesses will be able to deduct meals and entertainment.

“It will be a huge success for small business where that money is being spent,” Dutton said.

“And if the boss is down there with her five real estate agents, then that total bill for that small business will be deductible over the year up to $20,000.”

Albanese was disdainful of Dutton’s policy proposal.

“The Liberals want every taxpayer to pick up the bill for long business lunches, trips to the movies, golf days and karaoke nights. 

“And they don’t even have the decency to tell taxpayers how much this will cost them.”