Up to 2,000 jobs are under threat in South Australia and Victoria if a decision to lift anti-dumping duties on discounted toilet paper imported from Indonesia and China.
In a letter to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, South Australian Premier Mike Rann has pleaded with the PM to reinstate anti-dumping duties that were lifted in January.
AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell warns of both the environmental and economic impact of the decision.
“We have no knowledge of where the fibre used to make this imported toilet tissue comes from. There are no requirements for water re-use, no requirements for energy efficiency – in fact no requirement to consider sustainability at all,”
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“Industry echoes Mr Rann’s concerns and calls on the Prime Minister to intervene on this issue which gives imported toilet paper – possibly sourced from unsustainably managed forests – an unfair advantage at the ultimate expense of Australian manufacturing jobs,” Carnell said.
“Industry hopes Mr Rudd can resolve this issue quickly by reinstating anti-dumping penalties on imported toilet tissue – if this doesn’t occur, local manufacturers will be put under more pressure to manufacture offshore, where costs are significantly lower.”
“Not only does the removal of the anti-dumping duties undermine the sustainability of Australian industry and place Australian jobs at risk, it undermines the government’s sustainability agenda.” Ms Carnell said.
