The Australian furniture industry is fractured and failing to meet its full potential, according

to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resoruces Bob Baldwin.

Baldwin says while the industry has the product and expertise to potentially match it globally, a lack of unity is stimying growth.

“The industry needs to settle its internal differences and present a united front if it is to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market,” he says.

“I’m a big supporter of Australian furniture and I’ve seen a lot of pieces here that would stand out in any setting anywhere in the world. The industry’s reputation for excellence is indeed well deserved.

The furniture industry employs more than 83,000 people, has a sales and service income close to $12 billion and its exports amount to $232
million.

Speaking to industry members over the weekend, he says while the government is “keen to see the furniture industry thrive”, there needs to be appropriate action at the federal level.

“At the moment you are fractured when it comes to having a representative voice. The most successful industry associations are the ones that can speak with one voice,” he says.

Baldwin says he will continue to work with all the associations in order to find a model which allows the state-based associations to deal with the federal government as a single body.

Baldwin will host a meeting of all Association representatives later this year to work on the model.