Act on “cheap imported products” or risk domino effect on building sector, housing supply: AGWA

The Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) has added to comments urging government action on cheap imports following the collapse of Australia’s only producer of architectural glass last week.

In a statement on Thursday, AGWA said “serious consequences for Australia’s building sector and national housing supply targets” were risks unless more was done to shield its sector from low-cost overseas products.

Grant Thornton Australia partners were appointed as administrators to Dandenong-based Oceania Glass on Monday last week. In the days following, organisations including the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) and the Australian Workers’ Union cited “cheap imports” and an “influx of cheap imported” products respectively as contributing factors.

The glass and window sector employs thousands and represents $6 billion in value, and is currently under “significant pressure that threatens its stability,” said Clinton Skeoch, CEO of AGWA. 

“Our members are constantly being asked to compete against cheap imported products that increasingly skirt Australian safety and quality standards,” said Skeoch.

“That is placing tremendous strain on businesses and workers and fuelling genuine concerns of a domino effect that will see other companies suffer the same fate as Oceania Glass. 

“Every manufacturer we lose weakens our sovereign capability to build locally. If more Australian glass and window businesses are forced to close their doors it will rob our construction sector of decades of expertise and crucial manufacturing capacity during a chronic national housing shortage. 

He added that governments at the state and federal tier needed to “act urgently to level the playing field”, and that risks to the sector from dumping were increased due to escalating tariff action around the world.

Picture: credit Oceania Glass

Further reading

SEMMA says action needed on cheap imports following Oceania Glass collapse

AWU urges support for sector following Oceania Glass collapse

Oceania Glass enters voluntary administration amid financial review

Crisis in Victorian manufacturing: Opposition calls for action amid rising insolvencies