The Federal Government’s Anti-Dumping Commission is holding off taking action against countries which allegedly sold A4 copy paper to Australia at below market rate during 2015.
The Commission launched a probe in April following an application lodged by Australian Paper, which claims paper dumping practices have ‘caused material injury to the Australian industry’.
Commissioner Dale Seymour has released his update on the investigation in a 60 day status report.
In the report, Seymour states, “I am not satisfied that there appears to be sufficient grounds, at this stage of the investigation, to establish that the goods exported to Australia at dumped prices have caused material injury to the Australian industry producing like goods.
“With respect to the remaining imports, further analysis is required to establish whether there appears to be sufficient grounds to establish whether they have caused material injury to the Australian industry.”
However, research conducted by the Construction, Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) backs Australian Paper’s claims, estimating that paper dumped in Australia is being sold at a price which is 73 per cent below fair value.
Paper companies from China, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand have been named in the case. The Commission has previously stated it would impose additional tariffs on the countries involved if they were found to be at fault.
Secretary of the Pulp & Paper Workers district of the CFMEU Alex Millar has taken aim at prime minister Malcolm Turnbull for holding off on taking action. Millar says the government’s response is putting 1000 manufacturing jobs at Victoria’s Maryvale Mill at risk.
“This was a chance for Prime Minister Turnbull to show workers around Australia that his ‘jobs and growth’ mantra was more than just a three word slogan,” he says.
“Every day between now and the election that tariffs are not put on these unfair imports, Australian workers will remember how much this Government really does not care about their jobs.”
Australian Paper spokesman Craig Dunne told Australian Printer it will continue working with the Commission to restore fairness to the paper industry in Australia.
“We recognise that the anti-dumping case against A4 copy paper imported from China, Indonesia, Thailand and Brazil is complex and requires detailed investigation,” Dunn says.
“The Commission’s decision against imposing a Preliminary Affirmative Determination at this early stage is not unexpected and there is still a long way to go in this important case.” Australian Printer contacted the Commission for comment, but it did not provide a response by deadline.
The Commission says it is continuing its investigation and is expected to make a final decision by August 1.
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