PM Transcripts

. jA U S RL A
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 343
October 1974
INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION REPORT FOOD PROCESSING
MACHINERY, ETC.
The * Prime Minister, Mr Whi'tlam, announced today that
the Government has accepted, subject to international commitments,
the recommendations of the Industries Assistance Commission in its
report on food processing machinery.
The report covers a wide range of machinery used in
bread grain milling; for the working of cereals or dried.
leguminous vegetables; in sugar manufacturing; in brewing,
confectionery or chocolate manufacture; and the preparation of
meat, fish, fruit or vegetables.
The Government's decision will mean that minimum
rates of duty will apply to machinery for working bread grains,
cereals or dried leguminous vegetables~ and for the production of
pasta products; a General rate of 15% will apply to machinery
for sugar manufacturing, brewing, and confectionery and
chocolate manufacture; and a General rate of 25% will apply to
other food processing machinery under reference.
In the main the decision will mean a reduction in the
existing rates of duty, but for some goods there will be a slight
increase in protection for imports from Britain, a major source
of supply. Implementation of the Commission's recommendations
would have little effect on the structure of industry and the
employment involved because the industry enjoys a degree of
local advantage. Mr Whitlam also 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
final ise d.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.