THE Central West Community Union Alliance’s Joe Maric says if it were mandatory for all tiers of government and their agencies to buy Australian-made goods, companies such as Electrolux would not be forced to shut their Australian operations.
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Mr Maric said applying the “law of business” was the best way to save the manufacturing sector in Australia.
“All you have to do is increase the volume of sales,” he said.
“At the moment all levels of government, including their agencies, don’t just buy Australian-made goods.”
Mr Maric said an Australian-made goods policy would see a company such as Electrolux increase its sales by 30 to 40 per cent, making it viable in the long term.
“If Electrolux had a contract to supply white goods to the government and its agencies then the company wouldn’t leave our shores, how could they leave?” he said.
“It’s up to the government to set the standard.”
Mr Maric wants the commitment to buy Australian-made goods spread to include all businesses and organisations.
Mr Maric’s comments come after Orange councillor Glenn Taylor said a buy-local campaign could give businesses the confidence they need to put on staff.
Mr Taylor said while he appreciated buying local could be more expensive, the gains would be far greater.
Small businesses would prosper, put on staff, more staff meant more money and the effect would be cyclic and exponential, he said.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
