Albo on wagon for food industry
ANTHONY Albanese has renewed his pitch for his centrepiece manufacturing policy by appealing to food and drink makers as a parliamentary fight over the legislation brews.
Speaking at a food and beverage manufacturing dinner on Saturday, the Prime Minister told guests their industry was at the heart of the government’s ambition for Australia to “make things here again”.
With legislation to establish the proposed National Reconstruction Fund on the cusp of entering parliament, Mr Albanese used his speech to promote the multibillion-dollar co-investment vehicle.
“It’s about building a longterm safeguard against inflation and keeping your great products on the tables of Australian families and on the menus of Australian restaurants,” he said.
He said he had been a “lifelong supporter” of local food manufacturing and recalled fond memories of a classic Australian-made treat.
“One of my happiest memories as a boy growing up in Camperdown is heading down to the corner of my street with mates to Weston’s biscuit factory – and getting freebies of Wagon Wheels, which were imperfect,” Mr Albanese said.
“The sheer volume of Wagon Wheels that I ate in those days ... means I’m sorry to say I’ve not had one for decades. But I am comforted by the fact that all these years later, Wagon Wheels are still made in Australia.”
He said the fund would make $1bn available for advanced manufacturing and set aside $500m to invest in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food and fibre.
The government has committed $15bn to set up the fund.