The newly-formed Australian Anti-dumping Commission has launched an investigation into allegations China and Korea energy products, specifically wind towers, into Australia.
The energy products reportedly entered Australia at lower prices than the cost of their production.
The enquiry is in response to an application made by the Australian Wind Tower Manufacturing Alliance – a group of Australian steel fabricators – which claims Chinese and Korean wind tower manufacturers are exporting their goods to Australia at unfair and economically unsustainable prices.
Adelaide-based wind tower manufacturer RPG Australia, has already been forced to close down its operations in 2012 due to pressure from imports, as reported by Australian Manufacturing.
The Anti-dumping Commission will now investigate the Australian industry’s claims with a recommendation to the Minister likely in the months ahead. If successful, the Australian wind tower industry will seek to enforce the retrospective imposition of duties on imported towers, following the Australian Government’s recent changes to Anti-dumping legislation.
Australian Steel Institute (ASI) national manager industry development Ian Cairns said it will be disappointing for local businesses if industry and the government doesn’t capitalise on this opportunity to optimise Australian jobs growth across the manufacturing supply chain.
“If local manufacturing does not benefit and grow from ongoing taxpayer support for the renewable energy sector it will become less and less relevant to Australian communities,” he said.
“The ASI will be taking it up with the incumbent Government to extend the recent Jobs Bill legislation and the use of Australian Industry Participation Plans for all renewable energy projects.”
The decision from the Anti-Dumping Commission is expected by January 30, 2014.
