Australia : Anti Dumping Commission to stop trade cheats

The Federal Government's tough new anti-dumping measures will help stop international trade cheats in their tracks, according to The Australian Workers' Union (AWU).

AWU National Secretary Paul Howes today said the AWU had campaigned relentlessly for stronger measures against illegal trade dumping over the past two years.

“Two years ago the AWU launched the Don’t Dump on Australia campaign at our National Conference to highlight the impact illegal trade practices were having on Australian jobs.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work by AWU members to get this issue onto the national agenda.

“Free trade must also be fair trade, and overseas companies selling into the Australian market must playing by the same set of rules as their domestic competitors

“The AWU has been always maintained that a new agency was needed to handle complaints, and that tougher penalties should be put in place to deter and punish unscrupulous companies.

“Today the Federal Government has delivered the measures that both unions and industry were calling for, and has sent a strong message to companies that flout the law.”

Mr Howes said the investment of $24.4 million into a stronger anti-dumping regime would bring long-term dividends to the Australian economy.

“The cut-throat nature of global trade meant that overseas companies are constantly looking for ways to bend the rules to their own advantage.

“Sports like professional cycling are forever trying to catch up with the ingenuity of doping cheats, and it’s a similar situation in international trade.

“If there’s an advantage to be had, someone will try to exploit it.

“We’ve seen this across many of Australia’s key manufacturing industries - including aluminium, steel, glass and cement.

“Authorities need to eternally vigilant, and armed with the proper resources and investigative powers, to make sure the cheats get caught.”

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