Senator Babet's 'Australia first' clothing made overseas, not local
Babet's Australian-branded fashion line is made overseas, contradicting his local manufacturing advocacy.
United Australia Party senator Ralph Babet launched "Staunch by Senator Babet" this month. The products include towels, mugs, socks and shirts with political and religious imagery.
The items are made mostly in South America and Asia, then sent overseas for screen printing. Some screen printing is done in Australia.
Babet said he chose overseas production because Australian manufacturing is too expensive. In 2022, he said Australia should support local making.
He also criticised moving jobs overseas. When asked why he doesn't use Australian makers, Babet said: "If you can find a T-shirt maker in Australia, I would use them, but there isn't one."
He told the ABC the brand is self-funded. It is not backed by the United Australia Party.
- Staunch by Senator Babet
- Clothing line name
- South America and Asia
- Manufacturing locations
- 2028
- Senate term expiry
Why it mattersA politician promotes Australian manufacturing. But he sells items made overseas. This raises questions about the gap between what politicians say and do.
AustraliaA sitting Australian senator's commercial enterprise contradicts his stated policy on supporting local production and manufacturing jobs in Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 d ago
