Brisbane mum Alli Lark calls for new ‘Australian Owned’ product label

Aussies love supporting homegrown products, but one mum warns that the widely recognised “Australian Made” logo is not what it seems.

Aussie consumers love to back “Australian Made”, but one Brisbane mum warns shoppers that buying homegrown classics like Tim Tams and Uncle Tobys could still be sending money offshore.

Alli Lark, a mother of two kids, wants a specific “Australian Owned” label for products in shops and supermarkets, warning the widely recognised “Australian Made” triangle logo could mislead customers about where their dollars could end up.

“To be honest, I was always under the impression the little green triangle with the kangaroo, I thought it was both made and owned,” she told NewsWire.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean it is Australian owned. It might be based here but not owned by Australians.”

According to the ACCC, for a product to gain the Australian Made logo, it must be substantially grown or produced in the country.

But Australian ownership of the business that produces the product is not a necessary characteristic to secure the famous stamp.

Brisbane mum Alli Lark wants a clear country of ownership label to be displayed in supermarkets. Picture: Supplied

A range of iconic Australian products are now foreign owned, though they may have been manufactured in Australia.

Tim Tams are now owned by American private equity giant Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Uncle Tobys is owned by Swiss behemoth Nestle and Bundaberg Rum is controlled by British company Diageo.

Pure Profile research suggests Australian consumers are growing more conscious of “country of ownership”, with 73 per cent of respondents saying ownership information should be included on all food labels.

Australian businesses are permitted to label their products Australian Owned, the ACCC states, but Norco chief executive Michael Hampson said there was still widespread confusion among consumers.

“I would like the government to seriously consider the benefits of country-of-ownership labelling in order to remove the confusion and deception in the marketplace and ensure that 100 per cent Australian beneficial ownership is clear for consumers so that they can make fully informed choices,” he said.

“While anything that drives jobs creation and economic activity in Australia is a good thing, it’s still important to know that many foreign-owned companies can still use this labelling.

Norco chief executive Michael Hampson has backed country-of-ownership labelling. Picture: Supplied

“The big difference with ‘authentically Australian’ brands and products, those that are both Australian made and 100 per cent Australian owned, is that the money remains here in Australia and is not siphoned offshore.”

Thirty per cent of shoppers have increased their support for what they believe to be Australian brands and products over the past two years, the Pure Profile survey shows, and 67 per cent of consumers are actively trying to buy Australian made products.

Ms Lark said she wanted to buy both Australian made and owned products.

“I think we should have two stickers or stamps, one that shows Australian made … and I think there should be another one next to it, if it is Australia owned, because visually, when you are busy shopping, when you’re looking at the labels, you’re going to see that stamp.”

Originally published as Brisbane mum Alli Lark calls for new ‘Australian Owned’ product label