Buy Australian to support the economy

Buying Australian produce helps to create local jobs and support the national economy, says a patriotic consumer group.

Australian Made | Australian Grown has urged consumers to think about the benefits of buying local goods.

Chief Executive Ian Harrison highlighted the benefits of buying locally in a press release:

"Buying Australian means that you are helping the Australian economy, supporting local jobs and investing in your own community.

"You are also buying products meeting high and strict production standards."

Mr Harrison voiced his disapproval at current food packaging legislation that allows imported foods to be processed in Australia and bear a "made in Australia" label. Produce packaged in this way can legitimately be described as Australian-made.

One way to ensure produce is made and sourced locally, he suggested, is to look for the Australian Made | Australian Grown logo.

Beyond the market for provisions, it has been widely recognized that the cost of living in Australia has encouraged the growth of internet shopping and importing goods more cheaply from overseas.

There will undoubtedly be similar calls from other branches of the retail sector for consumers to pay a little more to support their domestic businesses rather than bolstering the output of other economies by turning to their credit cards online.

Ashley King