“buy Australian” pledge during the New South Wales state Labour conference. It has been revealed that during his address, the Opposition Leader will vow to beef up the country’s struggling manufacturing sector through a “Buy Australian Act”, while also offering a 10-point plan focused on Australia’s future”, one of the Labour Party’s key election messages.
“Labour will establish a ‘future made-in-Australia’ office within the Department of Finance to drive a whole-of-government approach,” an extract of his speech obtained by The Guardian read. “Labour will provide opportunities for mid- and small-tier Australian companies to participate in the infrastructure pipeline helping to build and strengthen our sovereign capability.
It is believed that his party hopes to focus on the participation of small businesses and businesses owned and operated by First Nations people to expand opportunities available for them. Any enterprise a Labour government’s procurement processes will also be expected to adhere to a host of regulations, including those on fair wages, the treatment and working conditions for workers and sustainable environmental practices.
“We will work with states and territories to ensure that the $20 billion provided annually through national partnership agreements is consistent with a national agreement on a future made in Australia,” the speech extract said. “Together these plans will ensure that Australia’s capacity to manufacture essential goods in areas including health, energy, infrastructure, defence and space and communications is increased and that we are more resilient.”
