Recommendation 1
2.73 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
develop a bipartisan solution to high energy costs that will reduce energy
prices and secure supply for steel manufacturers.
Recommendation 2
4.85 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
investigate the possibility of making third-party certification of steel
compulsory for structural and fabricated steel used in Australia where relevant
standards are available.
Recommendation 3
4.87 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
work with the states and territories to improve consistency in standards
between different Australian jurisdictions and regulatory bodies, with a view
to harmonising current standards requirements.
Recommendation 4
4.89 Subject to forthcoming recommendations from the Senate
inquiry into non-conforming building products, the committee recommends that
the Australian Government develop a confidential reporting mechanism through
which industry and other stakeholders can report non-conforming steel products
so that the Commonwealth Federal Safety Commissioner can take proportionate
action based on the safety risk posed by the product.
Recommendation 5
4.92 Subject to forthcoming recommendations from the Senate
inquiry into non-conforming building products, the committee recommends that
the Australian Government develop a clearer regulatory framework to deal with
non-conforming steel products, with consideration given to stricter penalties
for non-conforming products or products found to have fraudulent
certifications, and the development of a public database of these products and
their origin.
Recommendation 6
4.95 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
convene a national steel forum comprised of representatives from industry,
government and other stakeholders to investigate the possibility of
establishing and funding an industry-managed steel compliance scheme that
involves random independent conformity inspections.
Recommendation 7
5.111 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
maximise the use of locally made steel in Commonwealth funded projects.
Recommendation 8
5.113 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
develop an overarching steel policy that would form the basis for
decision-making and initiatives affecting the industry.
Recommendation 9
5.115 The committee recommends the establishment of a national
Steel Supplier Advocate, which will:
- provide
strategic advice to the Australian Government on the challenges and
opportunities facing the industry;
- assist
Australian steel manufacturers to win major contracts and identify
opportunities to improve competitiveness; and
- work
with state government counterparts to plan for the sector and develop future
industry initiatives.
Recommendation 10
5.117 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
reconsider its decision to reject Recommendation 1 of the Joint Standing
Committee on Government Procurement report and request the Department of
Finance revise clause 10.9(c) of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules to require
all goods purchased by the Australian Government to comply with Australian
standards unless none are applicable or it is inappropriate to do so.
Recommendation 11
5.118 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
reconsider its decision to reject Recommendation 4 of the Joint Standing
Committee on Government Procurement report and commit to enhancing the
procurement-connected policy for Australian Industry Participation plans so that
good procurement practices are implemented down through the supply chain, so
that both prime and sub-contractors:
- implement best practice terms and conditions; and
- are contractually obligated to report on those terms
and conditions.
Recommendation 12
5.119 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
reconsider its response to Recommendation 8 of the Joint Standing Committee on
Government Procurement report and ensure that, in negotiating future trade or
World Trade Organisation agreements, Australia does not enter into any
commitments that undermine the Australian government’s ability to support
Australian businesses.
Recommendation 13
5.120 The committee recommends that, in light of the evidence
provided to this inquiry by the Australian Steel Institute relating to the
steel industry's Environmental Sustainability Charter, the Australian
Government reconsider its decision to reject Recommendation 3 of the Joint
Standing Committee on Government Procurement report and facilitate the
introduction of a procurement connected policy requiring Commonwealth agencies
to evaluate the whole-of-life environmental sustainability of goods and
services to be procured.
Recommendation 14
5.122 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
better utilise the small and medium-sized enterprise provisions in free trade
agreements.
Recommendation 15
5.124 The committee recommends that the Department of Finance
reconsider its current procurement implementation guidelines, noting the
concerns of the Joint Standing Committee on Government Procurement that the
current guidance may undermine the intent of the new Commonwealth Procurement
Rules, specifically clause 10.30 relating to economic benefit.
Recommendation 16
5.127 The committee recommends that relevant entities should
be required to make reasonable enquiries to determine standards compliance in
all Commonwealth funded projects involving steel, not just those above relevant
thresholds.
Recommendation 17
5.129 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
review the level of funding to the Australian Industry Participation Authority
to ensure it is adequate, and that compliance with Australian Industry
Participation plans should be monitored and audited.
Recommendation 18
5.130 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
restore the requirement in legislation for all tenderers for Commonwealth
projects to submit Australian Industry Participation plans, not just the
successful tenderer.
Recommendation 19
5.132 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
review the thresholds for Australian Industry Participation plans, with a view
that they should be significantly reduced to take into account recent changes
in industry.
Recommendation 20
6.98 The committee recommends the Australian Government
ensure that the Anti-Dumping Commission is adequately resourced so that it can
operate in a timely and effective manner and defend Australian industry against
unfair and anti-competitive trade practices.
Recommendation 21
6.99 The committee notes that in adequately resourcing the
Anti-Dumping Commission, it would be preferential for officials to have private
sector experience prior to gaining employment within the Commission.
Recommendation 22
6.104 The committee recommends that responsibility for
safeguards inquiries should be transferred from the Productivity Commission to
the Anti-Dumping Commission, in line with international best practice.
Recommendation 23
6.106 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
introduce a mechanism for applicants involved in anti-dumping investigations to
nominate the form of duty to be applied, which can be recommended to the
Minister by the Anti-Dumping Commissioner.
Recommendation 24
6.107 The committee recommends the establishment of a working
group of the International Trade Remedies Forum to reform the anti-dumping
handbook.
Recommendation 25
6.109 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
consider establishing a legal aid system to expand access to the Australian
anti-dumping system by affected industry stakeholders, particularly small and
medium-sized enterprises.
Recommendation 26
6.110 The committee
recommends that the working group proposed in Recommendation 23 within the
International Trade Remedies Forum also consider ways in which the anti-dumping
system can be reformed to be more user-friendly for small and medium-sized
enterprises and the fabricated steel sector.
Recommendation 27
6.112 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
look at ways to better facilitate access to data held by the government to
assist companies seeking to access the anti-dumping system.
Recommendation 28
6.114 The committee recommends that the Australian Government
should continue to oppose the introduction of a 'public interest test' in the
levying of duties.
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