Australian_tissue_industry_argues_case_for_import

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Australian tissue industry tries to convert 'own goal'

Australian tissue manufacturers are angry about government's decision last month, to drop the penalty charges it had been levying on goods imported by companies associated with Indonesia's Sinar Mas/Asia Pulp & Paper conglomerate. They say it could lead to thousands of job losses.

Swedish-owned SCA Hygiene Australasia and fellow manufacturer US-owned Kimberly-Clark, are thought to be preparing a Federal Court challenge against the decision, reports The Age.

"This decision will impact on thousands of jobs in Victoria, South Australia and across the country," warns Paul Thompson, President of SCA Hygiene Australasia. ''It beggars belief that the government can conclude that allowing imported product at a 45% discount has caused no material injury and will cause no material injury when thousands of jobs are on the line."

He believes that dropping the duties has opened the door for imports and ultimately threatens the profitability of his group and others. He says Australians spend $38.67 a year each on toilet paper and that reinstating penalties on dumped imports would cost them only another $3 a head.

11th February 2010