Australian decision ‘could raise tensions’

Press, 27 November 1982, Page 11

Australian decision ‘could raise tensions’

PA Wellington The Minister of Trade and Industry. Mr Templeton, has said that it was unfortunate that Australia should tighten its anti-dumping provisions when countervailing duty actions are pending against New Zealand exporters of sawn timber and roofing tiles. Those exporters had already successfully obtained an injunction within the provisions that were now being changed to prevent Australia from applying temporary cash securities while the cases proceeded. “While the injunctions already granted should not be affected by it, this Australian decision risks increasing the tensions, particularly in both timber industries when both Governments are encouraging them to pursue discussions to reaching an agree-

ment which would involve the Australian industry withdrawing its request for countervailing duties." he said. Mr Templeton said he did not regard the Australian Government’s move as being directed against New Zealand. The change had been urged for some time by the Australian Industries Development Association, and is understood to have been precipitated by court actions involving cases with other countries, he said. New Zealand was supporting its exporters at a governmental level. “We are well aware of the serious damage that the imposition of cash securities would inflict, especially on the smaller exporters,” said Mr Templeton. “We are pressing the Australian administration to ensure that no countervailing

duties are imposed before Australia has fulfilled its commitments to obtain evidence not only that subsidies exist, but that they are hurting Australian industry." he said. Included in the new provisions. announced by the Minister of Industry and Commerce. Mr Andrew Peacock, is a move to exclude interim anti-dumping decisions from legal challenges in Australian courts. The regulations will allow cash or other securities to be taken as interim anti-dump-ing and countervailing measures. “The Government is concerned that exporters of goods to Australia have been able to use existing law to prevent the customs authorities from taking provisional anti-dumping and countervailing securities." said Mr Peacock.