Why we should buy Australian – How you can help.
We live in what I think is the best country in the world. I know that sounds like a cliché but every day I wake up to a peaceful nation, beautiful blue skies, the sound of the birds – no war, no pollution, no genocide, no sounds of guns or tanks – need I continue?
I would like to keep this great nation just that – great! We can all do our little bit by changing our spending patterns and supporting Australian owned companies.
Why?
Australia (and Australians – yes that’s right you and I) are clever, innovative and productive. We have a great work ethic and work hard. Australia is one of the leading Nobel Prize Winning Countries (in per capita terms). When we support Australian owned products we are supporting all the jobs that go with that company – from manufacturing, marketing, administration, financials, distribution - the list goes on. That’s a lot of jobs!
But when you pick up that bottle of Jam, the bottle of milk, the packet of cheese – just spend a split second to ask yourself – Is this Australian owned and made? Are they making that product with Australian owned / grown resources or are we paying the farmers, fruit pickers / labourers of another nation? Remember, if a product is Foreign owned then every dollar goes to a company in another country where they make their decisions.
Don’t be fooled by some labelling -
It can be an absolute minefield for consumers to tell if products are Australian owned and/or made. Just because the label has a picture of Australia, the Australian Flag or a Kangaroo on it does NOT mean that the product is Australian owned. Nothing is sacred! It may have some percentage of ingredients that are sourced from Australia – or it may not! Just because it has the word Australia in the title does not mean that it is Australian owned either – go figure! (see below)
Just some examples -
| Australian Owned | Foreign Owned | |
| Biscuits | Dick Smiths | Arnotts, Cadburys, Nestle |
| Cereals | Carmans, Sanitarium | Kellogs, Uncle Toby’s |
| Condiments | Beerenberg | Masterfoods |
| Jams / Spreads | IXL, Allowrie | Golden Circle, Cottees, Kraft, Heinz, Vegemite, ETA |
| Butter / Margarine | Devondale, Nuttelex, Dairy Soft, Olive Grove | Daffodil, Flora, Pro-active, Western Star |
| Cheese | Bega, Bulla, Devondale, Bodalla, Jindi | Aussie Gold, Coon, King Island, Mainland, Tasmanian Heritage, Kraft |
| Milk | Devondale | Dairy Farmers, Pauls / Parmalat, Pura, Trim, Physical |
| Toilet Paper | Quilton, Cottonsoft, Naturale | Kleenex, Softly, Purex |
This is in NO way a conclusive list – just an example for some of our best known brands. Please visit www.ausbuy.com.au for a comprehensive guide on what is Australian owned and what isn’t. You will be amazed that some of our best know “aussie” labels are in fact Foreign Owned.
This great guide lists everything from food, furniture, clothes to electrical....everything!
How you CAN make a difference.
If every Australian changed their spending habits – only slightly – and spent just $50 a week on wholly owned Australian companies instead of wholly owned foreign companies then we can reduce the crippling debt Australia owes by $50 billion a year. This demand will increase productivity and reduce demand on imports. (Ausbuy data)
We can do this by grabbing a copy of an Ausbuy guide or going online and just pick a few things to change. If you changed the brand of the Weetbix, the biscuits, the bottle of jam, the block of cheese, the butter and the toilet paper you buy from a foreign owned company to an Australian owned company then YOU can start to make a difference RIGHT NOW, this week. Imagine the difference you will make in a lifetime!! Perhaps you can change an item a week as you become more knowledgeable with Australian owned companies.
It is estimated that about 85% - 90% of all products on major supermarket shelves are foreign owned! This is a disgrace!
There are some fantastic online shopping companies that are making a difference and supporting local companies. There is a wonderful on-line store that I know and use called Only Oz that only stocks locally made and owned brands. They offer a great service and you can be sure that you are buying the right products as they have done all the hard work for you. Visit them at www.onlyoz.com.au
5 Tips to help you on your way today –
1. Change these 5 products to Australian owned now - cereal, jam, cheese, butter, toilet paper – it’s easy!
2. Change 1 additional item per week to an Australian owned brand.
3. Try to shop at local stores / farmers markets that support Australian owned and made products.
4. Look for local deli brands that are sourced from local farms – they taste better and are supporting local families.
5. Be an educated shopper – Get an Ausbuy Guide today.
It’s that easy! So with our celebrations of Australia Day still ringing in our ears and our thoughts of Anzac Day ahead – let’s do something that can and will make a difference.
Let’s support what it means to be Australian and keep this great country great! Oh, and of course Carmajé is 100% Australian owned and made. We source Australian grown products wherever we can.
At least now, you too can make an informed choice for the health and wellbeing this wonderful nation that we call home.
Cara Phillips
Director & Founder
Carmajé Organic skincare
For more information you can visit –
www.ausbuy.com.au
www.onlyoz.com.au
