A debate is heating up about whether the Government has ripped off an ‘Aussie-made’ logo to promote its new industrial policy.
Senior Labor Ministers have published photos of the logo to promote the Government’s “Future Made in Australia” plan, with its legislation currently in Parliament.
The Australian Made company said it’s engaging with the Labor Party to “resolve” the issue.
The logos
The Australian Made logo – which features a white triangle and a golden kangaroo – has been used to mark products manufactured in Australia, not overseas.
Australian Made is a not-for-profit company to spread ‘Aussie-made’ logos and not a government body. However, it does receive some federal funding.
Meanwhile, the Government has started rolling out its campaign to market its ‘Future Made in Australia’ (FMIA) – a $22.7 billion domestic industrial plan to invest in renewable energy and future technologies.
Criticism
Acting Opposition Leader, Sussan Ley, pointed out the Government’s FMIA logo and the ‘Australian Made’ trademark bore close resemblance.
“What we’ve uncovered is the Labor Party actually ripping off this logo for base political purposes,” she said.
Ley has urged the Labor Party to stop “misusing the Australian Made logo”, saying it shouldn’t be used in political communications as it “represents hardworking Australian business”.
In response to Ley’s comments, a Government spokesperson said: “Is Sussan Ley going to vote for a future made in Australia or not?”
A spokesperson for Australian Made said to TDA: “[We are] aware that the Australian Made logo has recently been used by the Australian Labor Party.
“AMCL [Australian Made Campaign Limited] has engaged with the ALP to resolve the matter.”
