The Footwear Manufacturers Association of Australia (FMAA) claimed local businesses were struggling to come to terms with measures announced in the 2009 Federal Budget, which contained no "meaningful" support for the continued production of shoes here.
FMAA director Peter Eames said in conjunction with the decision to cut footwear tariffs to five per cent in 2010, this meant there would be no reason for companies to choose locally made shoes over imported, finished products.
Sydney-headquartered J Robins & Sons, which produced footwear for Sandler, Easy Step and Widestep, confirmed it had been forced to lay off staff in recent months. Managing director Phil Butt said without government assistance, the industry would die and never be replaced.
For more, pick up a copy of Ragtrader's June 19 issue, out on newsstands tomorrow.