Advocacy
Ethical Clothing Australia gathers key stakeholders at Australian Parliament House to champion local manufacturing
On Thursday, August 15, Ethical Clothing Australia hosted an event at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra. Key stakeholders, including Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators, Union representatives, a delegation of accredited businesses from across Australia, and a worker from the TCF industry joined us.

Attendees of Ethical Clothing Australia’s event at Parliament House.
The event featured speeches from:
- The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science.
- Linh, a former outworker from the textile, clothing and footwear industry.
- Simon Stewart, the Founder and Managing Director of Stewart & Heaton Clothing Co.
- Jenny Kruschel, TCF National Secretary of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division.
- Rachel Reilly, National Manager of Ethical Clothing Australia.
Click below to watch a video of the event!
Click to view our Australian Parliament House compilation video.
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.”
Click to The Hon Ed Husic MP’s speech.
Listen to the audio
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.”
”Ethics, fair pay, and fair working conditions should be major considerations around local manufacturing.
The Hon Ed Husic MPMinister for Industry and Science
Attendees also heard the first-hand experience of Linh, a former outworker in the textile, clothing, and footwear industry. Linh spoke in Vietnamese and her words were translated by Nguyet Nguyen, an Outwork Outreach Officer for the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union and member of Ethical Clothing Australia’s compliance team. Linh explained how she worked in the industry after leaving Vietnam in the early 1980s as a refugee. After arriving in Melbourne, she decided to work from home as an outworker so she could also care for her young family.
Click to Linh’s speech.
Listen to the audio
“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.
”I had to work long hours – day and night – seven days a week, and I only receive per piece,” she said, “I got paid roughly about $4 to $5 per hour.
LinhFormer outworker from the Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry

Attendees looking at the accredited items on display.

Accredited business representatives at the event.
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.
Click to Simon Stewart’s speech.
Listen to the audio
”[Ethical Clothing Australia] accreditation gives my company and our customers great comfort that the goods they receive have been manufactured ethically and in accordance with all applicable workplace obligations.
Simon StewartFounder and Managing Director of Stewart & Heaton Clothing Co.
In closing, Mr Stewart recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic had shown the value of local supply chains. In particular, local manufacturers pivoted to produce face masks, medical uniforms and gowns.
“Sadly, however, in a few short years, it appears governments and consumers, more generally, have returned to their previous buying behaviours. All of us in the industry have a role to advocate for a strong, robust, dynamic sector, mindful not only of the future challenges but also of the lessons of the past.”

Garments displayed left to right: Bluegum, Stewart & Heaton, Citizen Wolf, Qualitops, Australian Textile Mills.

Accredited items on display.
Rachel Reilly, Ethical Clothing Australia’s National Manager, spoke about how the accreditation program helps to prevent and remedy the exploitation of workers like Linh.
“The program, not only through the audit, but also an outreach outworker program, also enables us to speak to people like Linh and to ensure that they are aware of their rights,” said Ms Reilly.
Jenny Kruschel, TCF National Secretary of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division, spoke about the importance of support from the industry and government in ending exploitation.
“The compliance team today still comes across workplaces where people might only be paid $10 an hour, or their superannuation is not getting paid, or their skill levels are incorrect, or they might be an outworker sitting out somewhere and not properly recognised within the supply chain and not understanding their rights,” she said.
“So it is really important work that the compliance team does within ECA, and the fact that the employers join with us and say that we don’t support exploitation is why it’s so important that ECA continues,” said Ms Kruschel, “I think the government should say that you shouldn’t get work unless you’re ECA accredited.”

Accredited business representatives at the event.

Humphrey Law socks on display.
The accredited business delegates had the opportunity to speak with Members of Parliament and Senators and show their locally and ethically made products.
Accredited businesses in attendance included:
- Australian Defence Apparel, a manufacturer of defence uniforms and protective equipment.
- Australian Textile Mills, a manufacturer of innovative textiles and protective fabrics.
- Bluegum, a manufacturer of merchandise, uniforms and sporting gear.
- Citizen Wolf, a brand and manufacturer of custom T-shirts.
- Humphrey Law, a brand and manufacturer of socks.
- Redback Boots, a brand making full-grain leather footwear.
- Qualitops, a brand and manufacturer offering a wide range of garments.
- Stewart & Heaton Clothing Co., a manufacturer and value adder that makes performance garments for procurement purposes.
Ethical Clothing Australia extends its thanks to the Hon. Ed Husic MP and all of the speakers. We also thank the Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senators, Union representatives, and accredited business delegates who attended the event with us.