The National Showcase initiative is giving local designers and makers the chance to have their products sold in the Australian Parliament House shop in Canberra.
Small businesses that produce unique and locally made products can apply to have their products sold in the iconic retail outlet in our nation’s parliament building.
The shop currently stocks new products from suppliers in every state and territory in Australia.
Some of the unique Australian products include the History Pen made using jarrah from a pergola in the Prime Minister’s courtyard
You will also find colourful tote bags, tea towels and pouches from artist Kayannie Denigan, a Luritja woman by birth who lives and works here in Canberra.
There’s also honey soap made by Honey and Glow in Googong (NSW) using honey harvested from the parliament hives.
Also on the shelves is a new special blend tea featuring lemon myrtle and lemon-scented gum from the Parliament gardens and colourful pink and green chamber socks, designed by Estelle Briedis and made by Otto&Spike in Melbourne.
“National Showcase is a great initiative that can promote our democracy, and help Aussie makers find new customers,’’ says the federal Member for Werriwa, Ms Anne Stanley, who would like to see local business consider offering their products to the parliament shop as part of the program.
“It will highlight some of the wonderful local products being made right here in Werriwa,’’ Ms Stanley said.
She points out that the Australian Parliament House is a major tourist destination, with around 750,000 domestic and overseas visitors each year.
“The National Showcase represents an incredible opportunity for the selected small businesses to build a broader client base and enhance awareness of the quality products that are locally made,” Ms Stanley said.
Products will be selected via a competitive application process based on a range of criteria such as their appropriateness to be sold at the parliament shop, design excellence, ethical and sustainable practices, whether the products are Australian made and the size of the producer.
The Department of Parliamentary Services is responsible for the National Showcase initiative and for the small selection of the products chosen to be featured in the parliament shop.
Applications for local businesses are open now.
For more information on the program and how to apply, visit: www.aph.gov.au/NationalShowcase
Pictured above are the president of the Senate Sue Lines and the Speaker of the House of Representative Milton Dick officially re-opening the new look Parliament Shop last month following its first refresh in 27 years.
