Dear Editor,
The global supply chain took a battering in the COVID pandemic and now conflict between Russia and the Ukraine is further shaking the foundations of Victoria’s key import and export markets.
Shortages of fertilizer, agricultural chemicals, AdBlue and spare parts for farm machinery are among the goods Victorian farmers and farm businesses are desperately trying – and failing – to secure.
Global pressures have rammed home just how reliant Victoria now is on other nations to manufacture products that are crucial to the success and day-to-day operation of our local businesses.
The Nationals believe there’s untapped potential to grow the manufacturing sector in Victoria.
In past decades, Victoria was a manufacturing powerhouse attributing for about 17.2 percent of our local employment. By August 2021, that had sunk to 8.4 percent.
The Federal Liberals and Nationals Government recently announced seven priority goods crucial to the national interest that we could be producing in Australia, including PPE, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and telecommunications equipment.
Victoria’s past success in the sector puts us in the box seat to secure new jobs and business investment, but we risk missing out because it’s not on the agenda of the current State Labor Government.
By contrast, The Nationals have announced a $2.5 billion Bringing Manufacturing Home fund, to attract new manufacturers – and new careers – to Victoria.
A massive $1 billion will be quarantined specifically for regional Victoria.
Our program will focus on areas of strategic importance, including food, fibre and beverages, as well as rare earth and mineral processing, and the manufacture of medicines or PPE.
Our plan will recover and rebuild our state’s economy and make Victoria number one again as the engine room of Australian manufacturing.
Peter Walsh
Leader of The Nationals
Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria
