TFIA welcomes Coalition manufacturing policy The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has welcomed the Coalition’s manufacturing policy and nominates the Strategic Growth Action Agenda (SGAA) as an important step to recognition of the textile and fashion manufacturing as an essential industry to the living standards of all Australians. “The history of innovation in Australia’s textile and fashion industry is significant and the industry continues to provide opportunity for over 40,000 Australians employed in the sector,” TFIA CEO, Richard Evans said. “Our globally competitive industry has been misunderstood and under estimated for many years by government, and we welcome the opportunity of having a strategic growth plan initiated with our industry.” The TFIA recently submitted its election manifesto “Cultural Change” to both major political parties emphasising the need for an industry White Paper to achieve strategic growth for the next twenty years and beyond. “We have had too many talkfests in the past which has led to policy hand wringing and some poorly targeted government funding splashes. We need a change of policy culture and political narrative and we seek a strategic approach to growth and building on the globally competitive TCF industry that thrives in Australia,” Evans said. Evans said that the manufacturers that remain want relief from over regulation and a fair go from the abuse of power tactics from a union dominate workplace relations structure that penalises employers who want to grow the Australian economy and employ. “We have heard these types of assurances before,” Evans said, referring to the Coalition manufacturing policy announcement. “We welcome the opportunity of working with any government on Strategic Growth plans for our industry as opposed to dolling out ‘guilt’ money from previous governments keen to provide go away money, rather than address the ongoing fundamental needs of the textile and fashion industry.” Evans said the entire textile and fashion industry will benefit from the reduction of income tax and abolition of taxes that increase the cost of doing business reducing global competitiveness; the industry will also benefit from an improved regimen on anti-dumping policy, and we seek greater policy emphasis on standards and labelling; and, we would welcome a review of the current Fair Work Act which discriminates against independent contractors operating in the sector. “We asked for a culture of change with policy to strategically grow the textile and fashion industry within our election agenda, and this Coalition policy seems to be meeting our needs,” Evans said. “We have heard the talk from all governments since Hawke, now we want an elected government to listen to our voice and act quickly to help us help the Australian economy.” “The textile and fashion industry impacts every Australian from the moment we wake. Nearly everything we touch, that keeps us warm, that makes us productive and allows us to be uniquely individual comes from the textile and fashion industry,” Evans said. “We don’t want charity nor guilt money. What we need is a partnership with government to build opportunity for our creative entrepreneurs, and a Strategic Growth Action Agenda matches our call for a strategic White Paper.” The TFIA election agenda Cultural Change also included: Government procurement – taxpayers deserve to know their taxes are supporting Australian jobs; we therefore recommend Government is required to procure from Australian manufacturers first, with a first right of refusal to match the value proposition from international suppliers. Skills development – we would like to see improved strategy in the development of creative design, trade and artisan skills with further innovative education programs to meet the evolving demand of the industry towards digital production. Regional jobs are at threat – we would like to see a TCF industry strategy that promotes opportunities for enterprises in the TCF industry in regional Australia to retain jobs. Reduction in Red Tape – the over regulation of the TCF industry, in particular in the labour market, is profoundly burdensome for the predominantly SME industry and must be reviewed to increase productivity. Recognition of the TCF business model in the modern award – the current workplace regime inhibits innovation, growth and relies on confrontationist approaches to sustainability. We would like to see recognition that global brands begin from small enterprises, many from their kitchen tables, and must be nurtured to capture world markets. Under the current industrial relations regime we believe iconic brands that started as home based businesses would not have gained their success. Trade barriers – we believe Australian TCF businesses have trade barriers placed against them; for instance, what we can import from China cannot be exported back to China if manufactured in Australia, which suggests we are not strong enough in fighting for our industry internationally. We expect greater action from our government to fairly protect our enterprises and jobs in a global market. Country of Origin and Safety labelling – we believe no one is taking responsibility for the poor labelling and unsafe products imported into Australia. We remain concerned about the carcinogenic poisoning potential and we seek urgent government action in this area of community safety policy. released: Monday, 26 August 2013
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 22:23:22 +0000
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