The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has formally established a ‘Parliamentary Friends of Australian Fashion & Textiles Group’, with more than 50 Federal MPs and Senators now members.
The move marks a significant step in boosting national advocacy, political engagement and cross-portfolio coordination for Australia’s fashion and textile industry.
The group reflects growing recognition of the sector as a strategically important economic contributor, underpinning jobs, exports and domestic manufacturing.
The announcement comes as the AFC prepares to launch the National Manufacturing Strategy in March 2026.
The Strategy, now in its final stages, has been informed by more than a year of national consultations, engaging over 300 industry participants including brands, manufacturers, educators, fibre producers, supply-chain specialists, technology partners and First Nations businesses.
These consultations generated more than 1,000 initiatives and votes, forming an evidence-led foundation for the Strategy.
A Consultation Insights Paper released by the AFC captures the most consistently raised challenges, shared priorities and strongly supported actions.
Industry is now invited to complete a final survey to confirm whether the proposed priorities are practical to implement, with responses open to all businesses across the sector.