The Australian Greens believe an independent inquiry into the manufacturing sector should be able to be conducted without the name-calling of "protectionism".  

Greens MP Adam Bandt said he will be putting forward a motion to parliament for an inquiry into manufacturing and jobs, describing the government's planned jobs forum as a "talkfest".  

"We are disappointed that the government hasn't agreed to hold an independent inquiry," Mr Bandt told reporters in Canberra on Monday.


"Instead they've announced a talkfest that has all the hallmarks of something designed for the media cycle."  

Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Sunday announced a one-day jobs forum to be held on October 6.

About 80 representatives from business, the trade union movement, government and academia will participate.

The government previously has said it does not see the need for an inquiry into manufacturing, despite a spate of high-profile job losses in the sector.  

Mr Bandt said all the government seems prepared to do is to have a "talkfest and media spin".

"If they won't listen to the calls of workers and unions and the industry for a full examination of the problems facing the manufacturing sector, then we will," he said.  

He will be looking to establish a wide-ranging joint select committee inquiry into the state of the manufacturing sector, its future, how it will deal with a high dollar and a mining boom that's "good for some sectors of the economy and very bad for others".

The inquiry would also look into local content rules and whether it is appropriate that some of the big mining and resource projects in the country use as little as 10 per cent of Australian steel.

Canada and Brazil have local content rules and their economies have gone from "strength to strength".

"They are not anti-competitive, they are pro-jobs," Mr Bandt said.

"I haven't seen anyone taking revenge on Canada or Brazil for having local content rules."

It was a disservice to people to dismiss every argument as being protectionist and outdated, the Greens MP said.

"We should be able to have a sensible debate in this country about jobs and manufacturing without the name-calling of protectionism.  

What imcrookonit said.

Greens are the fair and sensible party. The party for the people.

The chinese protect their own. You can't setup shop in china without employing any locals.

Both major parties have been promoting mining and resources at the expense of manufacturing That's what they call a level playing field and getting the balance right.