Firms slam lack of support

A LOCAL manufacturing body has slammed the Federal Government for failing to formulate a national strategy for manufacturing.
The comments from South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) reached Federal Parliament in Canberra last week when Labor MP for Holt, Anthony Byrne, criticised the Government’s commitment to small and medium enterprise (SME) manufacturers.
“Even with the river of prosperity that appears to be running through Dandenong, these people (manufacturers) have grave concerns about the Federal Government and its export policy – or its lack of export policy,” he told parliament.
“Having talked to the executive officer (of SEMMA)…you would think that he would give a glowing endorsement to the Federal Government.
“Tragically, that is not the case.”
In his comments read by Mr Byrne, SEMMA executive officer Paul Dowling said SME manufacturing was failing to reach export markets despite its innovative products because the Federal Government had not offered a national manufacturing strategy that ‘engaged’ SME manufacturers.