Death of manufacturing in Australia is a myth that ignores reality

Contrary to what you may read or hear, Australia is not “deindustrialized” and is not responsible for the rise of One Nation. The idea that Australia needs to “re-industrialize” certainly has its time.

While the neo-protectionist Labor government has promised to increase aid to industry, it insists it will not return to pre-1980 protectionism. In the Coalition, manufacturing is seen as a key issue to win back Home voters lost to One Nation – National leader Matt Canavan wants a “manufacturing renaissance” driven by Trump-style tariffs.