As we head into the federal election this weekend, there’s a lot of noise around the future of Australia’s economy, interest rates, cost of living, energy prices, housing affordability, and the ongoing push-pull between big business and the battlers. But while the headlines bounce between politicians and policies, we’re here, undies deep in it, still cutting, stitching, and pressing forward with our dream to make undies right here in Australia.
Running a small business like undicloth® in this economy isn’t for the faint-hearted. Since launching in 2020, we’ve proudly manufactured every pair of undies locally, using organic, fair-trade cotton, stitched up in Sydney with fabric knitted in Victoria. That Aussie-made label isn’t just for show, it represents jobs, fair wages, and a supply chain that doesn’t cut corners. But let’s be honest: it’s getting bloody hard to keep it up.
The Reality Check
While government promises bounce around like a roo in headlights, manufacturing costs keep rising, materials, wages, insurance, freight, compliance, power bills, rent... all climbing. We’re not asking for handouts, but we do need policies that back the businesses doing things the right way.
It’s no surprise that more and more Australian-made labels are folding, downsizing, or shifting offshore. The lure of cheaper production overseas is real. But for us, that would mean giving up on everything undicloth® stands for, ethics, quality, community, and care.
What We’d Love to See
As we cast our votes this weekend, here’s what we’ll be thinking about:
Support for local manufacturing, not just in talk, but in real, measurable support like grants, tax breaks, and funding for innovation.
A fair go for small businesses, especially those who choose sustainability and ethics over shortcuts.
Help with rising energy costs, green manufacturing is a goal, but right now even staying afloat is a battle.
What This Means for You (and Your Undies)
Every pair of undicloth® undies is a vote for a different kind of future, one where we back Aussie makers, pay fair wages, and tread lightly on the planet. So while the politicians fight it out for your vote, know that your choice to support a small local brand like ours makes a bigger difference than you might think.
We’ll keep pushing forward production run by production run, because we believe this matters. And as long as there are people like you who believe it too, we’ll keep making the best bloody undies in the country.
Here’s to a future where Australian-made isn’t the exception, it’s the standard.
