“The best support you can give Aussie businesses in fire-affected areas is your business,” said Australian Made Campaign chief executive Ben Lazzaro.
Launched this week, Australian Made’s Bushfire Bounce Back page lists over a hundred genuine Australian Made products from businesses located in bushfire-affected communities.
“Rallying behind these businesses now and in the coming years is one of the most important things we can do. It’s been tough for many of our Australian manufacturers and growers, so we are encouraging consumers to exercise their preference for Australian products and buy local,” he said.
Underpinned by a third-party accreditation system, the green and gold kangaroo logo is one of Australia’s most trusted and recognised country-of-origin symbol.
“Consumers are becoming more discerning with their purchasing choices and seeking out Aussie products that are unique, made ethically or with minimal environmental impact — attributes inherent to many Australian-made products,” Mr Lazzaro said.
“The best way to make sure you are buying Australian is to look for the Australian Made, Australian Grown logo.”
Valentine’s roses not Australian grown
Ben Lazzaro also highlighted the importance of buying locally on 14 February for the broader industry, with many flowers imported from overseas.
“Most Australians would be surprised to know that their Valentine’s Day flowers have travelled thousands of kilometres to get to them. Country-of-origin labelling is not mandated in the flower industry, leaving many consumers unaware of where their flowers were grown,” Mr Lazzaro said.
“Looking for the iconic green and gold kangaroo logo is the easiest way to make sure your flowers are grown here.
“When you buy Australian Made products, you are supporting the larger Australian economy as a whole. From local growers and manufacturers to wholesalers and retailers, the flow-on effects from your purchases can be huge.”
Last year, supply chain company Panalpina revealed that a Boeing 777 cargo plane touched down in Sydney a day before the annual lovers’ day, filled with 1.6 million of the blooms that were grown in Kenya.
Panalpina, which imported the flowers, said that “Kenya is one of the world’s largest exporters of cut flowers, which represent the country’s second-largest export commodity after tea”.
According to Flowers Magazine, a local trade publication, around 10 per cent of all flowers sold in Australia are imported, citing data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
