Thursday, 28 October 2021

 Mr DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh) (10:06): I want to emphasise the power of supporting locally made and what it does for our economy but also for local jobs. There is a long history in Australia of building businesses up from scratch, employing local workers and making quality local products. I have had the opportunity to see so many businesses in this job, and today I want to highlight three I have visited in the last two years that are important to the Oakleigh electorate.

Assa Abloy in Oakleigh—perhaps the company is not a household name, but the products they manufacture certainly are; Lockwood is the most recognised lock brand in Australia, with the best quality locks, made in Oakleigh since 1943, employing locals.

Ktena Knitting Mills, again in Oakleigh, was established in the 1980s. Using Australian merino wool they produce quality thermal clothing, and they export their products worldwide—locally owned, employing locals, using local material.

And then Arthur G furniture—started in a garage in Mount Waverley by Arthur Georgopoulos in the 1970s as a hobby, it has grown to be one of Australia’s most prestigious furniture makers, now manufactured in Huntingdale, again employing locals and family owned, and with stores in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, all created through an idea, lots of hard work and passion for quality.

These are just a few of the success stories that are replicated all over Victoria, and behind every story are quality products, local employment and family ingenuity—exactly what we need and welcome in our recovery.