Support local jobs: keep defence production on-shore
20-March-2009
Sophie Mirabella, Federal Member for Indi spoke in Parliament on Wednesday against sending Defence Industry jobs off-shore and in support of local manufacturing plant Bruck Textiles.
“We would be absolutely foolish to allow the exportation of entire industries overseas. I am on the record on this. Even before I was elected, I campaigned very heavily and argued quite strongly on such an issue. I was pleased to be supported by and to work together with the then candidate for Farrer, Sussan Ley, and Sharman Stone to fight to retain an indigenous capacity to produce propellant in Australia. That has indeed come to pass and the plant at Mulwala is being built.”
“But we need to know what the government’s position is on Australian workers supplying Australian diggers and emergency services with fabric made in Australia. Do the government agree with their ACTU mates that they do not want to wear foreign made uniforms? I have to tell you this: any soldier fighting for their country would expect to wear a uniform of that country, not one made in Communist China,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“Local company Bruck Textiles is to be commended to growing its business and keeping jobs in Australia. Bruck produces high quality fabric to be worn by Australia’s Defence personnel – men and women who sacrifice so much for our country and is a significant employer in the North East.”
“The Government must recognise the importance of defence manufacturing including defence uniforms in Australia. We cannot rely on some bean counter in Canberra to say ‘It is cheaper in China, let’s go offshore’. For Defence, this is too simplistic and it is far too dangerous. Take, for example, the product that I am very proud to say is manufactured in my electorate by Bruck Textiles. They are in Wangaratta and they are not going offshore—one of the few textile manufacturers who have consolidated their position over the last few years in difficult circumstances that have seen other textile companies go by the wayside. They produce the camouflage material that is used by our forces. It is a chemically treated fabric and it has certain spectral qualities,” Mrs Mirabella said.
“While companies such as Pacific Brands have chosen this path, the Australian Government should support companies such as Bruck who choose to stay and continue to employ local people through tough economic times.”
“The government needs to give assurances and to make it a high priority to recognise the strategic importance of defence and emergency services textile manufacturing. This government needs to support Australian businesses within our nation which want to grow our jobs, and not reward companies like Pacific Brands who take jobs offshore,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.