Mrs GASH (11:34 AM) —I rise to speak on behalf of the residents of Gilmore, particularly those who work at the Shoalhaven Paper Mill at Bomaderry in the Shoalhaven and at the Manildra Starch Factory. I also speak on behalf of all the other producers in my electorate of Gilmore who are against unfair dumping by foreign companies. I also rise to speak for all Australians who like to buy Australian products and, in doing so, know that what they are buying is actually made here, therefore providing jobs for local people and investment for our future.

As one example, the Shoalhaven Paper Mill has been lobbying for some time for tougher country of origin labelling and anti-dumping rules. I applaud the actions of the proactive Paper Action Community Team, which has been vigilant in its scrutiny of paper products entering Australia and of the monitoring of labelling. They have also been very active in promoting this issue in the wider community and in educating the public about buying Australian products in paper and all manner of goods. In fact, I urge all members and senators to ensure that their staff are instructed to buy and use only Australian made paper—preferably that from the Shoalhaven Paper Mill.

It was this government which had the guts and foresight to change the unfair rules on anti-dumping that Labor maintained during its 13 years. It was this government which has further protected the Made in Australia and Product of Australia labelling to protect Australian jobs after 13 years of Labor doing nothing. Actions speak louder than words. When the Buy Australian Made campaign first began, it aimed at effectively cashing in on two underlying principles which exist in Australia: that of an honest day's work for an honest day's pay and that of protecting your own. Of course we like to buy Australian Made products, but it takes just that little bit of encouragement to get over the cargo cult nature of Australia and to show us all that we can do it as well as—if not better than—the rest of the world. And we can.

In my electorate of Gilmore there are a large number of exporters, many of them in family businesses which are pushing the boundaries into the world's markets—everything from surf-wear to starch, flowers and, of course, paper. Until now, it has been relatively easy to market a product as Australian Made or as a Product of Australia, with scant regard to what that really means. That is because the definitions and identifications on the labels were so loose, making it possible for something to be mostly imported, have a final touch-up in this country and be stocked on shelves as Made in Australia.

Shoalhaven Paper Mill is the only Australian producer of specialty papers. Some members may remember the paper and printing industry display held here last year to promote Australian made ingenuity, innovation and creativity. particularly that of the Shoalhaven. And local manufacturers are being rewarded with major contracts for all sorts of products—from simple cardboard box designs to, for example, security-safe watermarked paper such as Shoalhaven mill does for my stationery.

Australian Made and Product of Australia labels protect the jobs of Australian manufacturers and workers. Protecting the identity associated with these labels encourages an environment which allows Australian innovators, business people and their staff to research and develop new ideas, new products and new technologies in the knowledge that they will be supported not only through the substantial research and development grants offered by this government but also through product protection when it is in the marketplace.

I commend the Minister for Customs and Consumer Affairs (Mr Truss) on these pieces of legislation which have been welcomed by the residents of the Shoalhaven, particularly those in the paper mill and in other industries which face competition from imports from overseas countries.

While we are on the topic of imports, I despair at the way the Labor Party is denigrating the importance of the ship Columbus Canada, which has been blockaded by the International Transport Federation at the behest of the MUA. This ship carries very important material for export to United States markets from the Manildra starch plant at Bomaderry. There have been no words or action from my Labor opposition on that important issue—and no wonder when Labor members are being told to contribute $50 a week to threaten the jobs of workers and staff at Manildra in support of the refusal by wharfies to unload the ship.

Mr Martin —On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker: I was prepared to remain silent while the honourable member for Gilmore debated anti-dumping but in fact talked about another bill.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl) —Could we have your point of order rather than argument.

Mr Martin —She was talking about the wrong bill a little earlier and I was prepared to let that go. She is now talking about something which is completely different from the contents of this anti-dumping bill. I ask you to direct her to come back to the bill before the House.

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER —I thank the honourable member. The honourable member for Gilmore will of course address the contents of the bill.

Mrs GASH —Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The bills are interrelated. In relation to the new anti-dumping and country of origin legislation, both of which are being welcomed as a major boost for local industry, I would like to outline just what has been done. From now on, Made in Australia will mean exactly that and Product of Australia will mean it is Australian, not Indonesian, American or French with a green and gold stripe on it or a Southern Cross stuck on the package.

Under this legislation, Product of Australia labelling can be used only on items with 100 per cent Australian content. In terms of anti-dumping, there will now be faster investigations of claims against unfair practices by foreign companies and quicker countervailing measures to help protect local industry and local jobs.

The government has responded to the calls by industry to take action and the result is a huge improvement on the lack of security which was left as a legacy of the previous government's inaction on these matters.