We need the government to use its powers of procurement to invest in Australian jobs and industries and rebuild our domestic supply chains. Most of all, we need a government with the vision and commitment to make that happen.
This paper is designed to give you the opportunity to see the manufacturing sector through workers' eyes, to understand what it means to the workers it employs and the communities it supports. They believe, and AMWU believes, that with the right policy leadership, Australia can enjoy a manufacturing-led recovery that creates secure, high-skilled jobs; promotes economic development in our regions; increases our sovereign capabilities; and diversifies the nation’s economy.
So far, we have lacked policy leadership — we hope we have reached a turning point. There is so much potential to grow the manufacturing sector in Australia, but governments hold the keys to unlocking that potential. Below, some of our union’s leaders begin to sketch a policy framework for a manufactured goods.
You can read our full submission here.