Aust. Govt tightens up on ‘dumping’

Press, 9 November 1983, Page 26

Aust. Govt tightens up on ‘dumping’

NZPA Canberra The Federal Government has decided to speed up dumping and countervailing investigations, answering one of the main complaints of Australian industry claiming to be adversely affected by the trading policies of other nations. New Zealand especially has been the target of dumping complaints. Dumping is where goods are exported at less than the normal value of the goods in the domestic market. Countervailing action is designed to offset the injurious effects of various forms of subsidisation.

The Industry and Commerce Minister, Senator John Button, said that his department would be required in future to give a preliminary finding on dumping claims within 45 days. If the finding was positive, the department would complete its investigation within a further 120 days.

At present there is no time period for the depart-

ment to report on dumping claims. Senator Button said that people or companies supplying imported goods against which a complaint was made would be given an early opportunity to reply to the claim. Senator Button said he expected amending legislation would be introduced in the current sitting of Federal Parliament. Amendments would have to be made to the Customs Tariff (Anti-dumping) Act, the Customs Act ana the Industries Assistance Commission Act. Amendments would provide for sales made at a loss in an exporting country oover an extended period to be disregarded in assessing normal value of goods. They would contain a definition of what may constitute injury to an Australian industry as a result of dumping or subsidisation. Provisions to counter hidden dumping through price and compensatory arrangements between companies or individuals would also be in the amendments.