Trade & Assistance Review 2008-09

Abstract

In 2008-09, Australian Government budgetary outlays, tax concessions and import tariffs provided Australian industry with $17.2 billion in assistance in gross terms, according to the latest annual review by the Productivity Commission. After allowing for the cost impost of import tariffs on industries using goods as inputs, the net assistance received by industry was estimated at $9.0 billion.

Trade & Assistance Review 2008-09 sets out the Commission’s latest estimates of assistance to industry that is provided by the Australian Government. It also documents recent policy announcements and developments.

While tariff assistance has declined significantly in recent years, budgetary assistance to industry has been increasing.

Keywords: anti-dumping, industry assistance, international trade, tariffs