Senator Kim Carr calls for consumers to buy Australian made furniture

July 21, 2008

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has called on furniture consumers to ask retailers for Australian made products. The Minister’s call comes after his visit to Furnitex and talks with Australian furniture manufacturers - many of them registered to carry the green and gold Australian Made Logo on their products - exhibiting at the show.

"The lively and innovative Australian furniture industry is one that we can all be proud of, as is clearly evidenced by the strong turnout of Australian manufacturers and designers today," Senator Carr said.

"It directly employs 75,000, about seven per cent of manufacturing jobs, and many more indirectly. The industry's value added was $4.4 billion in 2005-06 and its output is growing at an annual rate of 4.1 per cent for the past five years.

"But like every other Australian manufacturing sector it faces challenges, including competition from the global trading environment. The industry is responding to these challenges by becoming much more innovative and cost competitive, with a major focus on quality and customisation.

"I think the industry has summed it up perfectly with its message – 'don't compromise, customise'.

"There is a tendency to underestimate the size and technical sophistication of the Australian furniture industry. Consumers can rest assured that when they are buying Australian made furniture, they are buying a well designed quality product at a very competitive price.

"Consumers asking for Australian made furniture will find their task easier with many retailers rapidly increasing the number of Australian made products they stock," Senator Carr said.

Like last year, the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign sponsored the Australian Manufacturers’ Gallery again at this year's Furnitex. To read the Minister’s full speech, please click here.