Craig Laundy
The decision by Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy to accept the Anti-Dumping Commission’s findings that companies in China, Indonesia, Brazil and Thailand exported dumped A4 copy paper into Australia is big win for fair trade and an important step towards a level playing field for domestic producers. Source: Timberbiz
Mr Laundy accepted the Commission’s findings that all Chinese, Thai, Brazilian and the majority of Indonesian exporters of A4 copy paper have been selling paper into Australia at prices well below their market value – with dumping margins ranging from 3% to 45% – and in doing so caused “material injury” to Australian paper manufacturers by “price undercutting” the local industry.
Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) CEO Mr Ross Hampton said the decision sent a strong message to overseas manufacturers that Australia is not a soft target for under-priced products which threaten the operation of domestic manufacturers and the tens of thousands of local jobs they support.
“Manufacturing in Australia has been under increasing pressure from imported products and it is crucial that we have an effective anti-dumping system to ensure fair trade,” Mr Hampton said.
“Domestic manufacturers must have confidence in the anti-dumping system to bring cases forward when they are concerned about dumping practices, as well as in the measures put in place to provide an effective and timely trade remedy. Today’s outcome is a major step forward.”
The decision also puts pressure on all government departments to support Australian Paper, after the Federal Department of Finance confirmed many of them are buying paper from these dumped sources.
“Australian made 100% Recycled paper supports vital regional jobs and provides an environmentally superior, cost effective alternative to dumped paper. It’s time the all governments ensure their departments stop buying dumped copy paper and start buying Australian-made,” Mr Hampton said.
He said a robust anti-dumping system was vital for Australia’s forest products industry, with Australia importing around $4.5 billion in wood, paper and tissue products each year and exporting around $2.5 billion, producing a trade deficit in forest products of around $2 billion each year.
“While today’s decision is welcome, we must remain vigilant. We will continue to monitor the performance of the anti-dumping system, given its importance for promoting a level playing field for our domestic manufacturers,” he said.
