Swan, unions at odds over Buy Australia push

• Swan, unions at odds over Buy Australia push - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

  • Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan says he does not agree that Australian companies should be given preferential treatment when tendering for government contracts.

    Unions say a Buy Australia campaign is needed to help local companies hit by the global recession.

    They are set to raise the issue at next week's ALP national conference.

    But Mr Swan says a Buy Australia campaign would be counterproductive.

  • Greg says:  If buying Australian would be counterproductive, does that mean the government will AVOID Australian made products and services for the sake of the world economy?
    
    To keep Australian jobs, the Government must purchase Ausstralia products and services unless there is a major economic advantage in buying imported goods/services. They must not purchase imported products/services just for political expediency.  If that is protectionism, it will have no effect on the world economic stage as our country is so small.