Senate debates

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Questions without Notice

Imports

2:41 pm

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Ronaldson, representing the Minister for Industry. In June 2013 the European Union applied antidumping duties to solar panels manufactured in China, following the US's application of similar duties in March last year. Australia has yet to apply any duties to these arguably dumped panels, although an application from Tindo Solar, in South Australia, has recently been lodged with the Anti-Dumping Commission. Does the minister acknowledge that Australia is lagging behind other nations in imposing such duties because the commission cannot investigate dumping claims until they have received an application and that the application process can be both lengthy and prohibitively expensive for manufacturers, especially small and medium enterprises? Does the minister also acknowledge that providing additional resources and funding could help shorten the application time and therefore put Australia at the forefront of these matters and protect Australian manufacturing jobs?

2:42 pm

Photo of Michael RonaldsonMichael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for providing the minister and therefore me with notice about this question. I do apologise.

Photo of Kim CarrKim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | | Hansard source

So you got a brief today?

Photo of John HoggJohn Hogg (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! On my left—Senator Carr!

Photo of Michael RonaldsonMichael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

Senator Xenophon—

Photo of John HoggJohn Hogg (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Just wait a minute, Senator Ronaldson; I give you the call. Senator Ronaldson.

Photo of Michael RonaldsonMichael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

I think Senator Xenophon should ignore that, and I will answer the question. I do apologise to you. The last time you asked me a question there was a miscommunication. I did not have the answer and I do apologise to you, Senator.

The government is currently considering a range of reforms to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the antidumping system and will comply with World Trade Organization provisions. We recognise the difficulties experienced by Australian industry when trying to navigate Australia's complicated antidumping system. The government is committed to simplifying the application processes and providing support to businesses submitting applications. In the light of our obligations under the WTO, Australian industries are responsible for submitting an application for antidumping. Only in exceptional circumstances can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry initiate an application. I can inform the Senate that currently there is no antidumping investigation regarding solar panels—

Senator Boswell interjecting

Senator Bernardi interjecting

Senator Scullion interjecting

Photo of John HoggJohn Hogg (President) Share this | | Hansard source

Order! Just wait a minute, Senator Ronaldson. Senators Boswell, Bernardi and Scullion: Senator Xenophon is expecting to hear the answer, not the conversation that you are attempting to conduct across the chamber.

Photo of Michael RonaldsonMichael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

There is currently no antidumping investigation regarding solar panels being conducted by the Anti-Dumping Commission. The commission does not publicise the receipt of applications, once again in line with our World Trade Organization obligations. If and when an application is accepted, the commission will publish the decision to enable investigation. The International Trade Remedies Advisory Service is available for small to medium enterprises that need assistance in preparing antidumping applications.

The commission also assists potential SME applicants in understanding and accessing the antidumping system. The Department of Industry is currently conducting an evaluation of the advisory service to ascertain the effectiveness and efficiency of that service. The department is due to report its findings from the evaluation to the Minister for Industry in the near future. (Time expired)

2:45 pm

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. The International Trade Remedies Advisory Service for SMEs can only exist within the Australian Industry Group and provides valuable support and assistance to SMEs in preparing antidumping and countervailing duty applications. I note that the service was originally established as a pilot program by the previous government and funding was due to end on 31 December last year. Can the minister confirm that the advisory service will continue to be funded over the forward estimates and whether the government will commit to providing further resources to meet the significant demand?

2:46 pm

Photo of Michael RonaldsonMichael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

I will just finish off my previous answer, Senator Xenophon. Following that evaluation, I will refer that to the government and we will consider the options available for making sure SMEs have appropriate assistance in accessing Australia's antidumping system.

In relation to your supplementary question, as you noted, the International Trade Remedies Advisor was established as a pilot project. The AiG is currently funded to continue delivering the pilot project until 30 June 2014. The Department of Industry is currently conducting an evaluation of the pilot process to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the advisory service. The department is due to report the findings of the evaluation to the Minister for Industry in the near future. As I said earlier, following that evaluation the government will consider the options available for making sure small and medium businesses have appropriate assistance in accessing Australia's antidumping system.

Photo of Nick XenophonNick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. I understand that the advisory service is required to provide support both to Australian companies applying for duties and to importers challenging such applications. Will the minister commit to providing additional funding so that the service is not forced to deal with this clear conflict of interest?

2:47 pm

Photo of Michael RonaldsonMichael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

As I indicated in my last answer, the International Trade Remedies Advisor pilot project is currently being evaluated. After considering the evaluation, the government will announce any appropriate changes to the assistance available to help small and medium businesses access Australia's antidumping system.