Ethical Clothing Australia gathers key stakeholders at Australian Parliament House to champion local manufacturing

The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, was the special guest speaker at the event. In his speech, Mr Husic spoke about the value of Ethical Clothing Australia’s work. 

“… only 1% of what we pay for a typical garment goes to the workers that made it,” said Mr Husic, “It’s why we have backed workers making local garments, and we backed the work of Ethical Clothing Australia”.  

“… what has been enormously pleasing to see is the way the industry and unions have worked together on an issue that Australians do care about. That type of leadership is not only important in times past, but will be important into the future.”

Mr Husic also discussed procurement and recent changes to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules, stating, “We know the government can also play a big role in supporting ethical clothing through procurement practice.”  

Several of the changes to these rules are aimed at increasing access to procurement funds for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). An economic benefit assessment will now be used for procurements over $1 million, down from $4 million. An exemption was also added to the rules, raising the SME exemption threshold from $200,000 to $500,000.  

“Combined with the work done through Ethical Clothing Australia,” said Mr Husic, “That is going to mean better, more secure jobs, less waste in the clothing industry. All things that are worthy of striving for.”  

“Working from home was really stressful, a really hard job. I had to wait about four weeks after I finished the order to get paid, but also, I didn’t get anything paid besides the piece work. I had no holiday pay, sick leave or superannuation.”  

In closing, Linh expressed her hope that outworkers in Australia experience less exploitation and have better education about their working rights.  

The audience heard from Simon Stewart, the Founder and Managing Director of Stewart & Heaton Clothing Co. In his speech, Mr Stewart explained how his business had changed in its 33 years of operation, from its roots as an imported workwear business that moved into more local manufacturing.  

 “If governments are genuine about support for local manufacturers, and they must make budgetary allowance for the higher initial cost. It is simply implausible to expect a police shirt to be manufactured in Australia for the same price that it can be in Bangladesh or Cambodia,” he said, “The total cost, or rather the total benefit, of ethically manufactured uniforms and PPC in Australia must be considered.” 

“This relates not only to the upfront cost but the contribution to the local economy, skills development and transfer, employment generation, faster lead times, more workable order quantities, reduced carbon miles, greater capacity for circularity and sustainability, reduced links in the supply chain, and the multiplier effect on the broader economy.”  

Mr Stewart spoke about the importance of running an ethical business with the support of their close to 40 manufacturers, and how his business directly and indirectly supports between 250 and 300 Australian families.