Call for dedicated manufacturing fund
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Call for dedicated manufacturing fund

Manufacturing in rural and regional Victoria can play a major role in the state’s post COVID economic recovery and Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said this region can play a big hand with appropriate government support.
That is why he is calling on the State Government to adopt the Liberal Nationals’ policy to establish a $1 billion fund to support Victorian manufacturers and to help local industry grow and expand.
“The past few years has thrown up all sorts of challenges for our region, but with vaccination rates increasing rapidly and light at the end of the tunnel, we have to look to the future and our economic recovery.
“Supporting manufacturing, particularly in the regions, will be a key to this,” he said.
Mr Bull said in addition to a support fund, State purchasing policies to ensure locally made goods be given preference over cheaper imports would also assist.
“We don’t want a repeat of the situation where the Andrews Government chose to import face masks from China, instead of purchasing them locally from Shepparton-based manufacturer MedCon.
“When it comes to manufacturing locally, we have many high-quality products created here in East Gippsland, but there is perhaps no better example than Patties Foods.
“It is a company that has grown from a corner shop in Lakes Entrance to now employing over 400 people and producing a range of iconic brands.
“Patties has recently invested $18 million into a new pie-line that will employ an additional 50 people here in East Gippsland and has more expansion plans over the coming years.
“It is a classic case of what can be achieved, and government support can fast track such expansions.
“If we can have a $3 billion overrun on a tunnel in Melbourne, we can afford this $1 billion fund to fast track our economic recovery.
Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is calling for a dedicated manufacturing support fund to assist in the state’s economic recovery post-coronavirus.

Friday, 20 August 2021