CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor has claimed that the forest products, and pulp and paper industry need better protecting against dumping and called for more Federal Government action.

The CFMEU is calling for improvements to the nation’s defences against predatory, illegally dumped manufactured goods, following ongoing concerns from local industry that imported dumped products are flooding into the region and threatening local jobs.

“Local manufacturers across the nation are telling the union that illegally dumped products are really hurting them,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The trade rights of Australian industry need to be enforced by the Federal Government in a much tougher way than we are currently seeing.

“For example, importers are currently able to use a loophole in the legislation to hide data and mask the country of origin of goods. This makes it hard for local industry to investigate dumping and for consumers to make sure that they are not buying illegally dumped products.

“If industry and unions are able to gain better access to import data, we will be able to ensure a level playing field and to protect jobs across the country.”

Mr O’Connor said that compliance with anti-dumping rulings and Custom’s laws also needed improvement through increased monitoring, enforcement and penalties.

“Local industry and workers need to have confidence that anti-dumping duties will actually be collected,” he said. “Currently no such confidence exists.”

Under international trade rules, predatory dumping of manufactured goods is illegal.

“Dumping is being prosecuted and penalised by pro-active governments across the world. It is time Australia stepped up to the plate to protect local industry and jobs,” said Mr O’Connor.

 

Meanwhile, the CFMEU welcomed a commitment from the Federal Opposition this week to “ensure that imported products better comply with the same mandatory standards imposed on locally made goods,” and has called on the Government to make support for reform bipartisan.

The commitment was made by Opposition Industry spokesperson Sophie Mirrabella in Parliament on Tuesday. If adopted it would address a fundamental weakness in Australia’s standards system that is threatening the safety of Australian consumers and could cost thousands of manufacturing jobs.

CFMEU National Secretary Michael O’Connor said reform was vital and bipartisan support should now be a genuine possibility.

“Under current arrangements imported goods are not subject to any systematic assessment or testing to ensure they comply with the same safety and quality standards that apply to locally made products,” O’Connor said.

“Whether it is imported glass, curtain walls, structural timber or whatever else; we have seen numerous instances of material coming in that is not up to Australian standards, putting consumers and workers at risk.

“Recent cases of asbestos in imported car gaskets and portable buildings on mining construction sites show that dangerous goods are getting through our borders all too easily.

“We desperately need an agency that is charged with monitoring and enforcing Australian safety and quality standards on imported products.

“These dangerous goods are being discovered way too late - after customers have purchased the products and put them to use. Heaven knows how many imported product time-bombs are sitting out there in the community waiting to fail because nobody has checked to see they meet our minimum standards.

“If the Government won’t join the Coalition in committing to fix this, we will make the issue a key part of our ‘Let’s Spread It Around’ campaign to support local jobs. (www.letsspreaditaround.com.au)

“The fact is Australian manufacturers and workers are investing time and money to ensure their products are safe and up to scratch. If importers are not being made to meet the same standard they will continue to undercut local products and put Australian firms out of business.”

(article updated 1 November, 2012)