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Monday, 12 September 2011
Page: 9841

Australian Customs and Border Protection Service: International Trade Remedies Branch

(Question No. 456)

Mrs Mirabella asked the Minister for Home Affairs, in writing, on, 6 July 2011:

In respect of the Government's announcement of 22 June 2011 of changes to Australia's anti-dumping system:

(1) From where will the extra 14 staff to be deployed in the Trade Measures Branch/International Trade Remedies Branch be recruited, and will these positions be publicly advertised; if so, when and where.

(2) Following the appointments of the extra 14 staff, how many staff in the Branch will possess (a) forensic accounting, and (b) foreign language, skills.

(3) What is the total budgeted cost (and that in each year of the forward estimates) of the (a) recruitment of these 14 staff; and (b) use of industry experts in accordance with protocols to be determined after consultation with the International Trade Remedies Forum (Australian Government, Streamlining Australia's anti-dumping system: An effective anti-dumping and countervailing system for Australia, June 2011, paragraph 3.1, page 5).

(4) By how many members will the International Trade Remedies Forum be comprised, and for how long does the Government expect it will continue to operate.

(5) What is the estimated total cost (and the cost in each of the two years of the pilot program) to the Government of the employment of the Small and Medium Enterprise Support Officer.

Mr Brendan O'Connor: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Recruitment advertisements for the positions in the International Trade Remedies Branch appeared in:

(a) national papers on Friday 8 July and Saturday 9 July 2011;

(b) the APS Jobs website on Thursday 7 July 2011; and

(c) the Customs and Border Protection e-Recruitment online system on Thursday 7 July 2011.

The closing date for all applications was 24 July 2011. Applications were received from individuals from a range of backgrounds, including industry, private sector, and government.

(2) (a) It is essential that staff members involved in anti-dumping investigations are qualified across a range of key skill areas, including accountancy. Skilled accountants are required to "forensically" delve into often complicated overseas company accounts to ensure the veracity of data that is produced. The recent job advertisements have focussed on recruiting further staff with qualifications in, and experience as, accountants to supplement the current International Trade Remedies Branch staff who, as at 26 July 2011, have tertiary qualifications in accounting.

(b) As at 26 July 2011 ten International Trade Remedies Branch staff members have foreign language skills. However, it is not practicable to require staff in the International Trade Remedies Branch to have all of the language proficiencies that reflect those spoken in the wide range of countries against which anti-dumping applications may be made. The International Trade Remedies Branch will also continue to use interpreters as required in anti-dumping investigations

(3) (a) Budgeted funding across the forward estimates to employ the 14 additional staff is $7.3 million including salary and on-costs.

(b) Budgeted funding across the forward estimates for independent experts totals $1.045 million. Actual expenditure on independent experts will be dependent on the number and complexity of anti-dumping applications received by the International Trade Remedies Branch.

(4) The Government announced in a media release on 22 June 2011 that the International Trade Remedies Forum (ITRF) would be comprised of representatives of manufacturers, producers and importers as well as industry associations, trade unions and relevant Government agencies. The Government is currently considering the composition of the ITRF and how it will operate.

(5) The Australian Government has provided funding for a pilot program for the employment of the Small and Medium Enterprise Support Officer (SSO) totalling $367,000 over the forward estimates. These costs are based on a 1 January 2012 commencement date for the SSO. Should the successful candidate for the SSO position be able to commence prior to 1 January 2012, the total costs for this position will be adjusted accordingly.