Vitex manufacturing facility opening

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.

I acknowledge the Premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns and state parliamentary colleagues.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen.

His Excellency Mirna Khawly, Ambassador of Lebanon.

And I thank Vitex Executive Chairman Dr Elie Chami and his son, CEO Dr Aniss Chami, for welcoming us so warmly today.

It is a pleasure to be with you to celebrate both the legacy and the future vision of Vitex.

The facility we are opening today stands as an incredible testament to the ingenuity, intelligence and hard work that drives Australian industry.

In business and commercial terms, there is no doubt that what you have achieved here is a huge success.

This facility triples the production capacity of Vitex.

Leveraging investment in new technology, more complex and vital medicines will be made here.

Today Vitex cements its standing not only as one of the most significant manufacturing outfits in Australia, but as one of the largest pharmaceutical facilities in the entire Asia Pacific.

That is a significant success.

But it is worth taking a moment to reflect on the story that built it.

A truly Australian story that we can all take pride in, that we can share - that reflects what makes our nation the best in the world.

It was a young Elie that came to Australia as a migrant from post-war Lebanon in the 1970s, aged just 16.

In 1989, together Elie and Aniss set up Vitex to make pharmaceuticals here in Western Sydney:

Based on the conviction, as Elie says, "that Australia could make medicines as well as anyone in the world."

From that point production climbed and expanded in volume and type.

Vitex exported to new markets and grew.

And now, some 37 years later - and just a few kilometres from where the business first started - we stand here opening a new facility representing a $250 million investment.

It is an incredible journey of a company that at the beginning ran on little more than the ambition and dedication of a family that saw Western Sydney as the place for them.

As their new home of promise.

That is not just an example - but a lesson - in the power of equal opportunity.

Of what Australian aspiration can achieve as it is passed down between generations.

Living proof that no matter where you come from, no matter what your background is, when you work hard and when Australia is your home - this great nation we all share will back you to succeed.

Of course, these days Vitex doesn't just support the jobs and livelihood of one family.

But many families.

1,200 high skilled, well-paid jobs - right here in Western Sydney.

Each one of them contributing to a Future Made in Australia, galvanising our national resilience.

For my Government, strengthening that resilience and growing those capacities drives us - across the broad.

Because amidst global economic uncertainty, and in an environment where our economic security is increasingly linked to our national security, we cannot afford to rely on the old assumption that global supply chains will guarantee our prosperity.

The belief that someone else, somewhere else will sell us what we need cheaper than we could make it ourselves.

Even if that were ever the case, that old world is not coming back.

But despite that, the truth is there is nowhere you would rather be than Australia.

We have all the resources that will power the next century under our feet.

The talent of our people is second to none.

And we live in the middle of the fastest growing region of the world in human history.

As that region continues to grow and prosper, demand for the high-quality products we make here in Australia will continue to boom.

Because there's a reason that 1 in 4 Australian jobs depend on trade.

There's a reason Vitex exports to 26 countries all around the world.

Because the world knows that Made in Australia stands for quality.

That's as true for the pharmaceuticals we make as it is for the beef we raise and the barley we grow.

And that pursuit of excellence - that very Australian desire to be the best - is all around us today.

This investment in Western Sydney, in our nation and in our capacity for dynamic manufacturing and growing trade is truly exciting.

It is a story of success built on aspiration and innovation.

And I thank you for inviting me along to share it with you today - congratulations.