A4 anti-dumping saga nears conclusion

The Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC) has delayed the final report on illegal dumping of A4 copy paper by Brazil, China, Indonesia and Thailand until March 17. This is the sixth extension given since the investigation began on April 16 last year.

The final report is now due to be given to the Parliamentary Secretary on Friday, with a report then given to the public no more than 30 days from that date.

In the interim, three preliminary affirmative determinations (PAD) have been made, covering all four countries, including a suspended imposition of securities pending the final report. The highest dumping margin revealed in the investigation is linked to UPM China, which the ADC claims has a dumping margin of 34 per cent.

The ADC says it is satisfied that dumped and/or subsidised goods appear to have caused material injury to the Australian industry producing like goods in the form of price suppression, price depression, reduced profits and profitability and reduced revenue from A4 copy paper.

While the investigation has been taking place, Australia’s last paper manufacturer, Australian Paper, based out of Maryvale in the LaTrobe Valley has cut the pay of its production workers, and cut the hours of its maintenance workers. Australian Paper says that the dumping of A4 copy paper in Australia has directly affected this.

In September 2016, Labor senator Kim Carr took aim at the ADC for its delays in the decision making process on an application lodged by Australian Paper.

Complicating matters further, in February 2016 Australian Paper was itself embroiled in a paper dumping scandal for exporting unfairly priced uncoated paper into the United States. The International Trade Commission ruled that Australia along with China, Indonesia, Brazil and Portugal had caused material injury to the US paper industry after four US paper manufacturers launched petitions condemning the practice.

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