Milliners campaign for export equality

NATIONAL: Australian milliners are missing out on lucrative export opportunities because a lack of government funding, a leading practitioner has alleged.

In papers tendered to the Rudd Government's review of the TCF industry, iconic milliner Jane Stoddard said support for smaller operators through export agency Austrade was largely denied owing to a minimum business turnover requirement of $100,000. Limited demand for millinery in the Australian market, however, meant the sector was largely comprised of independent traders who had a maximum employee base of two.

"These artisans establish a base of regular clientele and employ one to two employees at most, often part-time, as the business is strongly seasonal," the Sydney-based practitioner noted. "Despite their cultural and economic contribution to the nation, government assistance or support is virtually unknown."

Stoddard said milliners looking to broach the export market were forced to seek private sponsorship or self-funding avenues - this was despite growing demand from countries such as Dubai, UK, France and Germany. She suggested the Federal Government recognise 'milliner collectives' for the purpose of export and international marketing initiatives.

"A small number of like-minded milliners could then apply jointly for export assistance, combining their turnover to meet minimum requirements. Promotional events overseas such as exhibitions and trade fairs could also be accessed by small groups."

Melbourne-based milliner Serena Lindeman agreed support from government agencies such as Austrade was largely "moral-based", but added other programs had helped her break the Dubai, Singapore, UK and US markets.

She said Austrade workshops, coupled with promotional websites such as stylefile.com.au, were integral in helping her gain international exposure. "The 'milliners collective' could be a very good way of gaining some economies of scale in the export picture," Lindeman said. "Of course, it would depend a lot on the terms and conditions of any organisation of that nature."

"I think sites like stylefile.com.au are relatively inexpensive for the government but provide good leverage for the businesses listed on it."

By Assia Benmedjdoub