PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 188
18 February 1974
EARTHMOVING, CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT ETC.
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, today announced the Government's
decision on the Tariff Board's report on Earthmoving, Construction
and Materials Handling Equipment, Etc. The Prime M4inister stated that
the Government had accepted the Board's recommendations, with some
minor rate adjustments arising from international commitments.
The report covered a wide range of earthmoving, construction
and materials handling equipment including attachments and parts. f
The Government's decison to implement the Board's recommendations
will mean that for the more important products the following rates
of duty will apply: for loaders and backhoes 40%; for cranes
to 35% ( the lower rate applying to cranes with a working.-weight in
excess of 50 tonnes); engine propelled forklift trucks 30% ( with
the existing alternative specific rate being phased out in two stages
over five years); for road rollers and road making machinery
hoists, pulley tackle and other lifting devices 30% to 40% conveyors
but reducing to 20% and 30% over 3 years; lifts and escalators
Although the Tariff Boards report was signed after the
Government's announcement on the 25% tariff cut the existing duties
referred to in the report are those applying before the reduction.
Consequently, although the Board's recommended rates are in some
cases lower than the rates applying before the 25% tariff cuts when
compared with the rates actually operating since the tariff cuts, the
rates on some products will now have been increased.
Furthermore, importers may also encounter increased duties in
certain circumstances, for example, higher duties could'result from
the abolition of the tariff preferences which British goods have
enjoyed. In some cases Britain is the main source of competition to
the local industry.
Mr Whitlam said that details of the Customs tariff changes
arising from the Government's decision will be announced when
administrative arrangements to implement them have been finalised.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.