By Innes Willox, Chief Executive, The Australian Industry Group

As published in The Australian, Friday 23 May, 2025

At the recent Eurovision Song Contest, the semi-finals opened with the anthem, 'Made in Switzerland', honouring the iconic products of the host nation. Surrounded by dancing dairy cows, the chorus celebrated Switzerland’s role in creating the internet, the garlic press, fondue forks, cellophane and much more.

It was a reminder of how countries, regardless of size, can produce world-changing goods if they harness human creativity, capital, and a dose of ambition. Sadly, many Australians believe we have little to sing about when it comes to manufacturing. The common lament is the Australian economy “digs things out of the ground, but we don’t make anything here anymore”.

We need to put this notion to bed.

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