'Buy Australian' not in the national interest.

As a trading nation, Australia stands to lose a great deal in any global outbreak of protectionism says Australia’s Finance Minister, Lindsay Tanner.  He states that the Government does not support the current demands for Australian Government procurement policies to include a “buy Australian” bias.  Instead it remains resolutely committed to a non-discriminatory purchasing policy.

Mr Tanner went on to explain the notion that there are big gains for Australian companies and workers to be won from discriminatory procurement policies is essentially a mirage.  He said research by his Department shows that the possible benefits are very modest. If we introduce protectionist measures like discriminatory procurement policies we will invite retaliation from other countries.

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