STOP COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE MANUFACTURING JOBS BEING FORCED OFF SHORE

The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews must act to stop an industry worth $5 billion to the Australian economy forced off shore and putting close to 30,000 jobs at risk.  

The Daily Telegraph reports today that the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government’s changes to “Made in Australia” labelling and interpretations of the legislation by the ACCC will now see local complementary medicine manufacturers stripped of their ability to use the labels.     

This is an industry that currently has 82 manufacturing firms based in Australia with 75 per cent located in NSW.     

Complementary medicine manufacturers have a trading advantage from being Australian made, which is a sign of quality production in overseas markets. 

Depriving local firms from being able to use the Australian Made kangaroo is a commercial disaster.

These are the unintended consequences of Barnaby Joyce’s country of origin reforms.

This has been a bureaucratic stuff up and the ACCC have highlighted that this needs to be fixed by the Minister.  

If the Minister Karen Andrews doesn’t fix this issue Australia could lose this industry and forfeit a reputation for quality health management that has been built up over many years.  

Minister Karen Andrews can and must fix this before any Australian jobs are forced sent off shore.

The Australian Industry Minister should be the champion for Australian industry and jobs, not the facilitator of its demise and exporting of local jobs offshore.

Almost one year on since the Liberals sent Australia’s automotive industry offshore; they cannot be allowed to do it again.