NATIONAL: The Council of Textile & Fashion Industries (TFIA) has urged clothing and footwear business to rally the government to secure additional funding.
The group, along with fellow industry group the Footwear Manufacturers Association of Australia, is set to hold roundtable discussions with government representatives next week to discuss the recommendations put forward in the government's TCF Review report Building Innovative Capability.
However in an open letter to the industry TFIA president Jim Liaskos warned the sector stood to lose $60 million per year in post-2010 funding support under the recommendations made in the report.
"While many of the review initiatives are supported, the TFIA membership has fated the assistance package as grossly inadequate given that the recommendations also provide for an expansion of the program to include many participants currently excluded."
Liaskos urged companies to write to federal cabinet ministers supporting the TFIA position.
"This is our chance to help the government get it right and provide hope for the future of the Australian TCF sector, especially in these economically uncertain times."