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Advocacy

A push for more ethical and local manufacturing in NSW

The Australian Textile, Clothing and Footwear (TCF) industry has demonstrated time and time again its resilience and adaptability in the face of offshore manufacturing and tough economic conditions.

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At Ethical Clothing Australia, we believe there’s always more we can do to help recharge the local industry and support local businesses, while also protecting the rights of Australian workers. How? By working together with governments to develop policies that boost and benefit the local TCF industry.   

Our National Manager, Ms Rachel Reilly, recently gave evidence to the Standing Committee of Social Issues at a public hearing on the Inquiry Into the Procurement Practices of Government Agencies in New South Wales and its Impact on the Social Development of the People of New South Wales. This Inquiry was established to investigate and report on the procurement practices of government agencies in New South Wales (NSW), and its impact on the social development of NSW residents.  

As mentioned by Ms Reilly in her statement:  

“We face an ageing workforce and the inability to compete with offshore manufacturing price points, which often engage exploitative labour practices which, as the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner notes, distorts markets—a market distortion which has been sustained for close to half a century. In order to address distorted markets, we need to protect the hardworking women and men who are locally making TCF products, such as uniforms and PPE, and elevate those businesses who have committed to doing the right thing.”  

The implementation of an ethical and local procurement policy by the NSW Government would see NSW Government uniforms and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) be made in Australia, under ethical working conditions for local workers. Similar to the Victorian Procurement Policy, businesses would have to obtain an Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation, in order to be included on the Ethical Supplier Register. This would allow them to compete for tenders against other ethically accredited businesses currently manufacturing in Australia. To find out more about the benefits of an Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation, click here. 

In further endorsement of this proposed action, Ms Reilly expressed:  

“By adopting a policy which mandates procurement of TCF products to be locally procured and a business tendering for a contract with the New South Wales Government to have Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation, the New South Wales Government incentivises businesses to become accredited and, in doing so, we can collectively ensure the rights of more garment workers in New South Wales are protected and respected and existing Australian workplace laws are adhered to.”

Additionally, Ms Reilly highlighted that our accreditation program could reduce modern slavery risks and help in delivering the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW), which has a specific focus on government supply chains and procurement practices.  

We would like to extend our thanks to the NSW Parliament Standing Committee on Social Issues for the opportunity to provide evidence and endorse an ethical and local procurement policy in NSW. To watch Ms Reilly give evidence at the public hearing, click here 

This public hearing was chaired by The Hon. Dr Sarah Kaine and Ms Reilly received questions from Ms Abigail Boyd, The Hon. Anthony D’Adam and The Hon. Damien Tudehope. Other witnesses included Ms Elizabeth Macpherson, National Compliance Officer, TCF Union, and Ms Alison Rudman, NSW Division Secretary, CFMEU Manufacturing.