The Slouch Hat is an Australian icon and having its complete manufacture moved offshore is a blight on the memory of generations of Australian soldiers who have worn it, said the Shadow Minister for Veterans, Louise Markus.
“How far does this Government want to go when it comes to moving this Australian icon offshore?” Mrs Markus asked.
“Along with many veterans throughout Australia, I believe the Slouch Hat should remain an Australian-made hat.
“While there may be commercial considerations there must also be respect. Moving the manufacture of the slouch hat offshore shows a lack of appreciation to the unique traditions of those who have worn our nation’s uniform.
Mrs Markus said she is expecting a backlash right across the veteran community as more veterans learn of the possibility of the manufacture of the slouch hat moving offshore.
“There is clear frustration and disappointment among veterans that we are seeing Australian traditions and icons slowly, but gradually whittled away,” Mrs Markus said.
This is a very emotivee issue - one which appears to have been handled completely insensitively. Something recognised as quintessentially Australian SHOULD be Made In Australia!
ReplyDeleteIt won't be long before we have the "Australian Defence Force - Made in China or Korea", etc.
ReplyDeleteSome things are worth the extra cost of keeping onshore.
I am still a permanent resident of Australia and due to become citizen of Australia soon in the coming months ( which I am very excited about). In this small period of time I have come so close to Aussie culture and values that I can truly understand how a born citizen of Australia can be dissappointed which such decisions of the government.
ReplyDeleteIts very upsetting to learn that icons like "Slouch hats" would be made somewhere else. The whole purpose of it being an Aussie Icon gets lost if this happens. I am definitely not comfortable with the idea.
- Firdause
I guess it’s easy to become sentimental about these things, and each time that something which has historically been manufactured in Australia - icons of Australia that in a sense belong to Australia – moves offshore, we lose a little piece of Australia. If the successful bidder for the Federal Government’s defence uniform contract does in fact outsource the work to Akubra, the hats will still be made down under and that will obviously be great news. If it doesn’t work out that way, it will be unfortunate, but such is economic development. The market forces that drive our economy will very often overpower the sentiment for Australian icons such as the slouch hat. The textbooks may tell you that these decisions in aggregate are for the sake of comparative advantage and long-run economic efficiency; and that the various decisions of many should ultimately lead to the right outcome… in the end. But these things can’t always be easily quantified; and the things that can be quantified can’t always be justified. After all, what real price can you put on taking away another little piece of Australia?
ReplyDelete