Labor wants the country to make more Australian made products and thinks Penrith businesses are the key to to make it happen.
Labor Candidate for Lindsay, Trevor Ross visited local manufacturers to talk about innovative industries and the potential job opportunities they create.
Mr Ross was joined by Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ed Husic and Senator Tony Sheldon on Tuesday as they toured the former Crane Enfield Metals site.
The 12-hectare site at Castlereagh Road, Penrith was purchased by Aon Ari Property and will be re-developed into a food and beverage manufacturing hub.
Aon Ari Principal, John Joannou said government support for local manufacturing businesses is vital for the country.
“We are in the manufacturing side of the property business, and we have to start manufacturing more, we are already late, and it is only going to get worse with what is happening in the world,” Mr Joannou said.
“Employment comes with manufacturing and people don’t want to work more than 20 minutes from home so every single local area should look at that opportunity.”
Mr Husic said western Sydney had a large manufacturing industry which Labor wants to foster again.
“Our manufacturing performance as a nation has slipped and we ranked last in the OECD (The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) statistics for self-sufficiency,” he said.
“As western Sydney representatives and Trevor who is working to become a representative, we want to know what is happening here locally and how we can chip in to rebuild manufacturing after years of neglect by the Coalition.”
Getting out into the community, Mr Ross said the project in Penrith has exciting benefits for many locals.
“This vicinity has been here a long time, so it is good to see it stay and be transformed,” he said.
“Three generations have worked at the factory so to have an increase of good paying jobs is a significant thing.”
The men also visited Mereton at Lambridge Place, Penrith which is a textile design, sublimation printing and laser cutting business.
Mr Husic said Labor has plans to invest in manufacturing for the future.
“With our $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and our Buy Australia Plan we want to see manufacturing emerge,” he said.
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.
