ADJOURNMENT: Australian Made

Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise today to speak on the importance of buying Australian Made.

We just recently celebrated Australian Made Week which is a reminder for Aussie shoppers to embrace the incredible quality of locally-made products.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Morrison Government recognises the job-creating power of Australian manufacturers.

Our Government has invested $1.5 billion in the Modern Manufacturing Strategy.

This means our much-loved green and gold logo can not only have a stronger presence on home soil, but also internationally.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the Morrison Government is backing local manufacturers to scale-up and grow. I am experiencing the benefits of this firsthand in my electorate of Bonner.

Bonner is home to some amazing businesses, proudly showcasing Australian Made products.

Local businesses like:

  • Make Your Life Easier in Carindale, specialising in premium home organisation products.
  • August Skincare in Upper Mt Gravatt manufacturing top quality cosmetics and skincare.
  • And Oz Backdrops and Props in Wynnum, a leader in printed and digital backdrops, printing and more.

And this is just a glimpse into the diverse range of Australian Made products we are manufacturing in Bonner.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to talk about my recent visit to Couplemate in Wynnum.

This is a local business championing Australian Made.  Couplemate is based on the Bayside, specialising in the design, manufacture and distribution of caravan and trailer parts.

The last time I visited Steven and his team was late last year. Since then they have done fantastic work re-investing in Australian production.

The businesses dedication to what they do is second to none, resulting in their recent expansion and hiring of four new graduates.

Mr Deputy Speaker, last year was incredibly tough on small businesses.

But the Morrison Government delivered a plan that created jobs, supported our skilled workers and enabled growth.

We now have more Aussies in work than ever before.

Mr Deputy Speaker, since my last visit to Couplemate, their apprentice machinist has now completed his trade and is working full time as a qualified machinist.

Upskilling jobs and our young people has never been more important.

It is essential we are equipping Australians with the skills they need to get a job today and tomorrow.

As part of this year’s Budget, the Morrison Government doubled our commitment to the JobTrainer fund.

We already have around 1,400 apprentices in my electorate of Bonner and these new measures will lead to more opportunities for apprentices and trainees.

To see Aussie grown businesses just like Couplemate go from strength to strength during this time is remarkable.

Mr Speaker, the Morrison Government recognises local businesses are the engine room of our economy.

And to secure our recovery we are making sure they can get on with that they do best.