Prime Minister dines with food & beverage manufacturing industry

Speaking at a food and beverage manufacturing dinner on Saturday, 11 February 2023, the Prime Minister said he’d been a lifelong supporter of the Australian food and beverage manufacturing industry and pledged his support to deliver a new generation of success.

The Hon Anthony Albanese reminisced about growing up in Camperdown where he visited the Weston’s biscuit factory nearby to get imperfect Wagon Wheels, which were free. Although he’s not had one in decades due to his over-indulgence as a kid, he said he “was comforted by the fact that all these years later, Wagon Wheels are still made in Australia”.

“Your industry is at the heart of our ambition for Australia to be a nation that makes things here again,” he said.

“Where we do even more with what we have, and we do it better.

“Value-adding and taking full advantage of the skills and creativity and hard work of the Australian people.

“This is why we have made our National Reconstruction Fund a priority for the first sitting of parliament this year.”

The government’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund will provide loans, guarantees and equity to support projects that create secure well-paid jobs, drive regional development and invest in our national sovereign capability, broadening and diversifying Australia’s economy.

Albanese said $500 million of the fund will be available to invest in unlocking potential in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food and fibre. There will also be a further $1 billion available for advanced manufacturing.

“This is one of the biggest ever investments in our country’s manufacturing capability.

“It’s about learning a fundamental lesson of the pandemic — so Australians aren’t left stranded at the end of global supply chains.”

“Here’s to a better future ahead.

“A future made in Australia.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Kevin Brine