Dr Sarah Kaine hosts AFC members for an address by Minister Houssos on Local Manufacturing at Parliament House

Dr Sarah Kaine MLC hosted AFC members at Parliament House with an address by the Hon. Minister Houssos MLC, Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Minister for Natural Resources.

Dr Sarah Kaine MLC hosted AFC members for a Ministerial address on TCF local manufacturing and government procurement. We would like to thank Dr Sarah Kaine MLC and also the Hon. Minister Houssos MLC, Minister for Finance, Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, and Minister for Natural Resources, for listening to our industry opportunities and challenges.

An engaging roundtable including AFC Members Eric Phu (Citizen Wolf), Jacquie Macdougall (The Social Outfit), Jackie Galleghan (Madre Natura), Alison Lennard (Philosophy Australia) and Simon Stewart (Stewart & Heaton Clothing), discussed with Hon. Minister Houssos MLC their key concerns and recommendations that can help us here in NSW and broadly nationally.

The discussions called for:

Mandatory procurement policies which set minimum local content in government contracts
Increased transparency and accessibility to government contracts for SMEs
Increased incentives to support the delivery of traineeships and on the job learning inside NSW businesses, particularly for machinists and pattern makers
Better promotion of career pathways in fashion to show jobs can be about advanced manufacturing and technology, and to make the craft of making (not just designing) fashion more desirable for young people
A focus on the benefits of local manufacturing and holistic recognition of the social impact of local manufacturing in respect of jobs, skills and investment

Craig Heckenberg, Managing Director of Epson, also shared a few words on their support of the AFC and their shared goal of a local, sustainable and thriving TCF industry that harnesses the power of technology and advanced on-demand manufacturing. We also shared the key findings of the Victorian Local Manufacturing report the Australian Fashion Council launched last month in partnership with Epson Australia, and discussed its implications for NSW.

READ THE REPORT HERE

We’d like to thank all our AFC members for their support: Philosophy Australia, Madre Natura, Citizen Wolf, The Social Outfit, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Lee Mathews, The Iconic, State of Escape, Eder by Anna, Matteau, THEODORE, Brigid Mclaughlin and Carl Kapp.

We’d also like to thank our AFC Partners: Epson, TAFE NSW, Afterpay, Marque Lawyers, Imageworks Consulting, UTS and The Growth Activists.

Our industry is determined to thrive. Let's talk about the benefits of local manufacturing, not the costs. Let's talk about jobs, skills, the social benefits of sustaining a female-powered workforce, and the environmental benefits of sustainable and ethical production. Together, implementation of these recommendations is not just practical but symbolic. They send a message across our country —one that resonates with consumers, the industry, and brands alike: Choose Australian.

We look forward to updating you on the next steps of the NSW Manufacturing Strategy.

AFC launches Victorian TCF Manufacturing: Future Jobs, Technology and Economic Growth Report

We’re excited to announce that the AFC have launched the Victorian TCF Manufacturing Report: Future Jobs, Technology and Economic Growth. In partnership with Epson Australia, we have commissioned RMIT to, for the first-time, to quantify the current and future value of the Victorian TCF manufacturing sector.

The Report identifies five key areas to drive productivity, innovation and higher wage growth. Recommendations include:

Adding TCF manufacturing as a priority within the Made in Victoria statement;
Strengthening government procurement policies to increase local content in uniforms, workwear and personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts;
Developing a revitalised TCF skills and training program to full workforce skill gaps;
Co-investment in advanced technology and jobs of the future for a sustainable, circular clothing economy; and
Developing a national TCF manufacturing strategy, with Victoria at the forefront.

The current state of the Victorian TCF manufacturing industry presents a resilient sector in decline. To prevent further decline, “It’s imperative to the future of Victoria’s, and more-broadly Australia’s, textiles, clothing and footwear manufacturing industry that we collectively invest in and preference local. This sector is ours to lose. By implementing these very practical and achievable recommendations we can revive the industry, retain sovereign capability in Australia in TCF manufacturing and empower Australian brands to start, remain or even return on-shore,” Australian Fashion Council CEO, Jaana Quaintance-James said.

The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Jobs & Industry, Women, and First Nations & Treaty, attended in support, stating that, “Transitioning to advanced manufacturing by adopting new technologies and upskilling will make our industries more efficient and resilient and better to meet market demands”

The report also highlights cost efficiencies and reduced waste that can be achieved should a smart-factory model be rolled out. Smart-factories utilise advanced technologies including digital sampling, digital printing and laser cutting to reduce waste and production lead times. At the launch of the report, a coat was made utilising this concept, made in collaboration with Ngali, RB Patterns, Epson and Select Textiles, and gifted to the Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP.

Together, implementation of these recommendations is not just practical but symbolic. They send a message across our country —one that resonates with consumers, the industry, and brands alike: choose Australian.

Read the report HERE.