Joint media release - Senator Chris Ellison, Minister for Justice and Customs and Ian MacFarlane, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources

Australian manufacturers will benefit from significant improvements to anti-dumping arrangements, announced by Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane and Customs Minister Chris Ellison today.

A joint study by Customs and the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, in consultation with other relevant government agencies and industry representatives, has recommended a number of improvements to the delivery and administration of Australia's anti-dumping laws.

Minister Macfarlane said the implementation of these recommendations would further enhance the Australian anti-dumping system.

"These recommendations will help provide a more transparent and user-friendly system for all stakeholders," Mr Macfarlane said.

Significant recommendations to be implemented include:

• Customs will appoint an officer as a specialist contact point to assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to understand the anti-dumping system;
• Customs will develop plain English, user-friendly guidelines for applicants;
• Assessment guidelines will be developed which will be consistently applied by Customs in considering anti-dumping applications and will enable potential applicants to better understand the assessment process.
• Customs will introduce improvements in the availability of information during an investigation and make the public file available on the Internet; and
• External experts will be used by Customs to improve its analysis and decision-making.

Customs administers Australia's anti-dumping and countervailing legislation to protect Australian companies from injurious trade practices, consistent with international trade obligations.

Dumping occurs when goods are exported to Australia at a price below their 'normal value', which is usually the domestic price of the goods in the country of export.

Senator Ellison said the outcomes would deliver best practice in anti-dumping administration by providing clarity, consistency, robust decision-making, effectiveness and efficiency.

"There will be ongoing consultation with stakeholders during the implementation phase," Senator Ellison said.

The Ministers said that many of the submissions to the joint study addressed broader policy and legal issues that were outside the terms of reference of the study.

The Government response to the Report of the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burdens on Business undertook to commission a comprehensive public review of both the policy and administration of Australia's anti-dumping system and that the findings of the joint study will form part of the input into this review.

Media inquiries:
Minister Ellison's Office, Matt Francis (02) 6277 7260 / 0406 052 038

Minister Macfarlane's Office, Lisa Chalk (02) 6277 7580/ 0409 476 619