PM Transcripts

JJ, AUST AL1Ag. PRESS STATEMENT NO. 398
6 December 1974
TEXTILE FLOOR COVERINGS REFERENCE TO THE TEXTILES AUTHORITY
OF THE INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
The Prime Minister, Mr. Whitlan, announced today that
he had sent a reference to the Textiles Authority within the
Industries Assistance Commission covering certain textile
floor coverings. Mr. Whitlam said that this action was being
taken as a result of high and rising levels of imports and an
apparent total availability of such goods on the Australian
market in excess of previous levels.
The reference seeks the advice of the Authority on whether
action should be taken in terms of the GATT Textiles Arrangement,
to which Australia acceded earlier this year, to restrain imports
into Australia. The Authority has also been asked that if it is.
found that restraint measures are necessary and that measures which
may be recommended in accordance with the GATT Textiles Arrangement
are unlikely to overcome the market disruption, what other measures,
if any, should be taken to overcome the disruption. The Authority
has been requested to make its report by 28 February 1975 on the
goods covered by the reference.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the questions of whether
it would be necessary to have negotiations on the goods in question
with exporting countries or take other action would have to await
examination of the recommendations of the Textiles Authority.
Mr. Whitlam said that, although it is not clear to the
Government at this stage that action on goods covered by this
latest reference is necessary, he considered it important that
the Government be able to take the initiative in having
investigations undertaken so that action can be taken promptly
if found necessary.