The Anti-Dumping Commission will investigate whether A4 sized paper from Brazil, China, Thailand and Indonesia was sold in Australia at below market rate during 2015, a practice which Australian Paper says is threatening jobs at its Maryvale mill. The Commission launched the probe following an application lodged by Australian Paper which claims paper dumping practices have ‘caused material injury to the Australian industry’. The application alleges this has occurred through loss of sales volume, reduced market share, loss of profits and reduced employment. If the Commission finds this to be the case, it could recommend additional tariffs.

Maryvale mill: Paper dumping could threaten jobs

Australian Paper – which is the country’s sole producer of uncoated paper – employs 1000 workers directly at its Maryvale mill in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, making it the largest private employer in the region. In March, workers at the mill accepted a wage freeze and a four day work week in a bid to save the company $3m after it suffered four years of consecutive losses. 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. China, Thailand, Indonesia and Brazil are responsible for 93 per cent of Australia’s office paper imports. CFMEU national secretary Michael O’Connor is calling on PM Malcolm Turnbull to take a stand on the issue and suspend the use of dumped, imported paper by Government departments and agencies. “This practice has a devastating effect for local workers, their families and the communities that rely on their jobs,” O’Connor says. “Malcolm Turnbull needs to show some courage and leadership and stand up for local suppliers and local jobs.” Turnbull did not discuss anti-dumping issues when he met with China’s leaders last week. In February Australian Paper was itself embroiled in a paper dumping scandal for importing 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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