Australia is an energy rich country yet we have amongst the highest energy prices in the world. At the same time we are allowing a few, mostly overseas owned companies, to sell our natural gas cheaper to China and Japan than to our local manufacturers and consumers. This places our manufacturers at a considerable disadvantage against global competitors.

Australian manufacturers are more than capable of competing with the very best in the world if given the opportunity to do so. Today they are trying to do that with both hands tied behind their backs. They can only really compete when we have a TRUE level playing field in local and international markets. Politicians who suggest such exists at the moment are simply lying.

A TRUE level playing field requires a number of things, not least of which is a requirement for all exporters to offer and supply their raw materials and products in our local marketplace at least as cheaply as they sell them overseas. This is particularly important when it comes to energy.

The stupidity of supplying our international competitors with Australian resources cheaper than we supply them to local manufacturers and consumers must stop. It is tantamount to eating our own babies.

AUSMANET and those signing this petition demand that legislation be passed by Federal Parliament as soon as possible to put an end to this ridiculous situation and that our local manufacturers and consumers are given a fair go.  www.ausmanet.com 

AUSMANET - The Australian Manufacturing Network.