The great home-spun myth

Jimmy Possum co-founder Margot Spalding says consumers who make a point of buying Australian products need to be very careful when selecting items advertised as Australian owned, Australian made, Australian products or Australian materials.

“Many furniture retailers have realised that customers care about Australian-made products and are devious in how they promote theirs,” she says.

“Some get their furniture built in China from Australian timber, then bring it back here and market it as an Australian product.

“Australian-owned may mean the company itself is registered with Australian owners but where do its products really come from?”

Other furniture may be assembled here using imported components and then sold as Australian made, another misleading claim.

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