Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask that notice of motion No. 232 standing in my name have the name of Senator Kim Carr added to it, and I move the motion:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) dumping of imported goods on Australian shores puts the future of sustainable Australian manufacturing and agricultural production at risk,

  (ii) dumping of imported goods on Australian shores is harmful to Australian jobs throughout the entire supply chain and future economic diversity of the nation,

  (iii) the complexity and cost of Australia's anti-dumping system remains prohibitive to small and medium-sized manufacturers, especially at a time when Australian businesses are already suffering economic loss caused by dumped imports, and

  (iv) exporters and importers of dumped goods continue to circumvent anti-dumping measures causing Australian manufacturers further harm, placing further Australian jobs at risk and defrauding the Commonwealth of revenue; and

(b) calls on the Government to:

  (i) urgently introduce administrative reform to the Australian anti-dumping system to increase the effectiveness of the system with immediate focus on small and medium-sized businesses,

  (ii) immediately establish a joint taskforce between the Anti-Dumping Commission and the Australian Border Force to address the problem of circumvention of anti-dumping measures, and

  (iii) where countervailing measures are not successful, pursue illegal subsidy programs through the WTO disputes settlements process, and join as third-parties such disputes instituted by other member states.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government does not support the motion. Australia's antidumping system is both transparent and robust and is delivering outcomes for small and medium enterprises and larger manufacturers. The government has extensively strengthened and reformed the system over recent years, including reforms to address circumvention behaviour. The Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science is consulting with industry through the International Trade Remedies Forum to identify opportunities to improve small and medium enterprise access. The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science is also consulting on potential reform and review options.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement of no more than 30 seconds.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for 30 seconds.

Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I respectfully suggest that the government and the minister talk to Mark Mentha, the administrator of Arrium, and ask them what the impact of dumped low-cost Chinese steel has been on Arrium and Australian steelmakers.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that the motion moved by Senator Xenophon standing in the names of senators Xenophon and Carr be agreed to.