Fly an Australian flag - But make sure it's made in Australia!

If you’re thinking of flying the flag for Australia on Australia Day, do the nation a favour and make sure it’s made in Australia.

That’s the plea from Australian social entrepreneurs Steve Grigoriadis and Allen Pinto whose company Aussie Supplies provides an online marketplace for Australians to buy Australian made.

Mr Grigoriadis said of the eight supermarkets and speciality shops he recently visited in a popular CBD shopping precinct, only one sold a hand-waver Australian-made flag.

“Australians should have the choice to support locally made products on Australia Day – and every other day of the year!” Mr Grigoriadis said. “Unfortunately, it’s symbolic of the wider marketplace, with Australians (often unwittingly) buying overseas made products when Australian made products of the same or even better quality are available.

“We’re not suggesting that Australians shouldn’t have a choice or be part of the global economy – but we do hope that Australians will at least think about Australia first when they’re next in the shops – and particularly when they’re demonstrating their patriotism this Australia Day.”

For those having trouble finding an Australian made flag – you can order online at www.aussiesupplies.com.au

Mr Grigoriadis and his business partner have also attracted a broad range of Australian suppliers and manufacturers to offer their products through the site and are aiming for the online marketplace to bring together millions of Australians with thousands of Australian businesses looking to support jobs, skills and Australian brands.

“We’re not competing with fantastic advocacy organisations such as Australian Made or AusBuy. Rather we hope to provide an easily accessible, one stop market place where Australian manufacturers, growers and producers can sell their local offerings to shoppers who want to support Australia first.”

FURTHER INFORMATION AND INTERVIEWS: Please contact: Steve Grigoriadis on 0438 803 672

ISSUED BY HUGHES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Please contact: Belinda Scott on (08) 8412 4100 or 0458 778 879