Opposition says government failed to consult on canned fruit tariffs

The Federal Opposition says the Prime Minister's decision to reject out of hand calls for tariffs on canned fruit imports has been made without consideration or consultation.

SPC Ardmona cancelled contracts with 60 fruit growers last month, and called on the Federal Government to introduce temporary tariffs to protect the industry.

Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck says he was very surprised to hear Julia Gillard's comments, given that only two days earlier the Minister for Agriculture, Joe Ludwig, had promised refer the request to both the customs and trade portfolios.

60 growers want temporary tariffs to protect their canned fruit industry

"Here we are two days later, and the Prime Minister is point blank ruling it out," he said.

"The investigations that would have to go around that process haven't occurred and I just wonder whether there's any communication between the Prime Minister and her ministers in making these statements."

Later, a spokesman for the Prime Minister released a clarifying statement in response to the ABC report: "The PM does not rule out agreeing to the SPC request. She simply says that in general terms tariffs can lead to retaliation and that Australia's future lies with freer trade and more innovative producers. The Government will of course consider SPC’s request in detail and respond appropriately."

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister says her comments about the potential retaliation to a temporary tariff were "general" and that the government will consider the request from SPC.

Source: ABC News, 7 May 2013