Manufacturing

Australia, like most other developed countries, is not creating anywhere near the sufficient number of start-ups targeting new growth industries, especially in green technologies and renewable energy. Government support and investment in new technologies with broad based planning to keep these new inventions manufactured on Australian shores is also virtually non existent.

AWP propose percentage funding by Govt for R & D, tool up and roll out phases using low to no interest loans. Unless we back our brightest financially we will inevitably lose them to offshore interests.

We know that it is imperative to "future proof" our nation. This can be done with a convergence of sound policies that protect skills development, that address workers' right, that foster innovation and that deal with the inconsistencies of our current taxation system.

Examining inferior so-called Fair Trade Agreements is also an important matter. The "Selling the farm" mentality of successive governments has left us behind the eight ball. We need to be smart, act smart and think smart to retain our sovereignty and grow our country.

The AWP list of policies address many of the issues that inhibit growth in our manufacturing sector. We believe that by working for the country, and not for partisan or personal gain, we can restore a strong, vibrant and job-creating manufacturing sector.

Industry Growth
For decades we have witnessed declining manufacturing in this country in favour of importing goods from overseas. Australia cannot compete in a global market against subsidised nations or poorer countries that pay such a pittance for wages they can undercut us at every turn. Australia must ensure tariffs and import restrictions are put in place strategically so traditional practices and entrepreneurs have a real opportunity to create, grow and flourish here at home. The current global view is not of benefit to Australians, only to importers of all too often inferior products that create no jobs and build no local industry, and yet again all the generated profits vanish overseas. Iconic Australian businesses have closed, core industries have died and the opportunity for gaining employment has greatly reduced from this practice and it must cease. We need courageous government willing to back and protect Australians, to permit the people to build a better stronger Australia for themselves and their children’s future. Government must assist people in building prosperity, not hinder them with unnecessary red tape and barriers to success.