Australian Fashion Council 2025 Federal Election Platform

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has worked with our members and industry to identify clear election priorities for the Fashion and Textile sector. We need to partner with the Federal Government to build resilience, capitalise on growth opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to our sector, Australian communities and the broader economy. As we approach the 2025 federal election, we are launching our Federal Election Platform, and calling for policies that support:

Growth of our sector to propel Australian businesses domestically and internationally
Investment in manufacturing and advanced technologies, ensuring that Australian capabilities are globally competitive
Address our critical skills gaps ...

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has worked with our members and industry to identify clear election priorities for the Fashion and Textile sector. We need to partner with the Federal Government to build resilience, capitalise on growth opportunities and deliver tangible benefits to our sector, Australian communities and the broader economy. As we approach the 2025 federal election, we are launching our Federal Election Platform, and calling for policies that support:

Growth of our sector to propel Australian businesses domestically and internationally
Investment in manufacturing and advanced technologies, ensuring that Australian capabilities are globally competitive
Address our critical skills gaps and the future of our skilled pathways to empower our 500,000-strong, mostly female workforce
Embedding sustainability across our industry, delivering environmental, social and economic benefit to all

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Make Your Voice Heard: Support the AFC's 2025 Federal Election Platform

AFC members and industry stakeholders are vital to ensuring our sector's priorities are addressed in the upcoming federal election. We need your help to ensure the voices of Australia's $28 billion fashion and textile industry are heard loud and clear.

Contact your local Federal MP and election candidates today and urge them to support the AFC's 2025 Federal Election Platform for strategic investment in Australia's fashion and textile industry.

Simply add your name and address below, and we'll send this message directly to your local MP and candidates. Together, we can secure a stronger, more sustainable future for Australian fashion.

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Subject:

As a constituent in your electorate and a member of the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), I am writing to express my strong support for the AFC's 2025 Federal Election Platform (https://ausfashioncouncil.com/news/afc-2025-federal-election-platform/) and urge you to advocate for targeted investment in Australia's $28 billion fashion and textile sector.

Our industry makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy by:
✔ Generating $7.2 billion in export revenue (more than double the export value of wine and beer combined)
✔ Employing nearly 500,000 Australians (more than mining and utilities sectors combined)
✔ Providing economic opportunities for women, who make up 77% of our workforce

Despite these contributions, our sector faces serious challenges that threaten future growth and stability, including supply chain disruptions, manufacturing capability, rising costs and slow discretionary spending, skills shortages, and increased competition from overseas fast-fashion giants.

While these challenges are significant, we have the opportunity to propel our sector to $38 billion over the next ten years through initiatives that will strengthen our industry's future by creating jobs, boosting exports, supporting regional communities, and advancing Australia's commitment to a more sustainable future.

The AFC's 2025 Federal Election Platform addresses these opportunities through targeted policy initiatives that align with national priorities:

GROW THE FASHION AND TEXTILES SECTOR
✔ Secure financial support for an industry-led Australian Fashion Week for the next 10 years
✔ Expand Export Readiness Programs to reduce barriers to entering new overseas markets
✔ Co-fund an Industry Growth Centre providing targeted support for small and medium-sized businesses
✔ Establish an inquiry into the impact of overseas online platforms on Australian businesses

INVEST IN ADVANCED MANUFACTURING
✔ Map our local supply chain and co-design a 10-year National Manufacturing Strategy
✔ Recognise our sector as a priority area under the National Reconstruction Fund
✔ Implement local content targets for government procurement to drive local manufacturing

ADDRESS SKILLS GAPS AND WORKFORCE NEEDS
✔ Ensure our sector has dedicated focus in the Jobs & Skills Council network
✔ Update the Core Skills Occupation List to reflect critical needs like Sewing Machinists
✔ Co-design programs to address emerging skills gaps and new apprenticeship pathways

LEAD SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION
✔ Co-invest in AI-enabled tools to track and reduce environmental impacts
✔ Provide incentives for Digital Product Passport adoption
✔ Co-create a First Nations Fashion Strategy that protects cultural knowledge while creating economic opportunities

I urge you to support the AFC's 2025 Federal Election Platform and advocate for strategic investment in our sector. Your advocacy will help unlock the enormous potential of Australia's fashion and textile industry, creating more high-value jobs, securing women's economic security given our female-led workforce, strengthening domestic manufacturing capability, expanding export opportunities, and establishing our place as a global leader in sustainable and innovative fashion.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and understand your position on supporting Australian fashion and textile businesses in our electorate.

Thank you for your consideration.

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