Commit: SEMMA

A LEADING manufacturers’ representative group has reminded both major parties to make sure they pay more than lip service to the manufacturing sector.
The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) said while it welcomed the fresh focus being placed on manufacturing, it wanted to ensure the major parties make a commitment to manufacturing.
SEMMA has been mostly encouraged by the launch of the Brumby Government’s policy ‘Looking to the Future: Securing Victorian Manufacturing Jobs’.
However, it questions whether more could have been done considering the sector’s huge economic importance to the state.
SEMMA has called on the Liberal Party to urgently release its manufacturing policy so Victorians have a proper opportunity to consider the vision of the major parties for the sector prior to the election.
“Victorian manufacturers already contribute almost $30 billion a year to the state economy and is the state’s second largest employment sector,” said SEMMA executive officer Paul Dowling.