Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien is encouraging people to “join the Aussie-made Club” by buying local, Australian-made products, as part of a new campaign launched this week.
 
“When you back local small businesses and Aussie farmers, it makes a big difference to our local economy and the overall Australian economy, and it is the number one way you can help keep Wide Bay people in local jobs as we recover from COVID-19,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“This campaign is a practical way to back local producers and manufacturers by alerting people to the fantastic Australian products that are available.

“By visiting the Australian Made website www.australianmade.com.au, you can literally ‘join the club’ – it’s free, you get offers and discounts, and it helps you identify a range of Australian-made products that will support the local economy.”

Mr O’Brien said the Liberals and Nationals Government has targeted its coronavirus stimulus package to protect jobs and small businesses, and all Australians could do their part to make it go further by spending their money locally.

“When you buy Australian Made you’re not just helping the local shop, you’re supporting Aussie manufacturers and all the businesses in their supply chains from farmers to designers.

“Everyone can help grow their own local economy and boost local businesses. By shopping local, buying local and choosing Australian made you can support and create local jobs.”

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the new ad campaign reflects the groundswell of community support for Australian products.

“As a country, we’ve rallied together to slow the spread of coronavirus, now we need to pull together to back our local businesses and manufacturers,” Minister Andrews said.

“Australians are the first to put up their hand to help in a crisis. As we look to navigate the economic impacts of coronavirus the simplest thing we can do to help is to buy Australian.”

Australian Made Campaign Limited CEO Ben Lazzaro said the campaign is designed to build on the huge grass-roots movement spawned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our website is attracting more than 250,000 visitors a month – a 130% increase on normal. Our social media audience has grown ten-fold since the beginning of this pandemic,” Mr Lazzaro said.

“Australian brands are also seeing the value in using our logo, with a four-fold increase in applications and a doubling in new licensees.”

The new ad campaign comes after the Morrison Government earlier this year committed $5 million to expand the reach of the Australian Made logo, so our manufacturers could take on new markets around the world.