CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION

NATIONAL DIVISIONAL POLICY ON INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT


INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT POLICY

This document sets out the Policy of the CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION on Industry Development for the information of Members, Representatives and Officials.

Included with the Policy is an introduction, which provides a background for the reading and application of the Policy.

The Policy is binding on all CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION Members and Officials.

Any queries about the Policy should be directed to either the Branch or National Divisional Office.


1. INTRODUCTION

The CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION declares that for sustained employment growth in Australia, promotion and expansion of a strong Australian manufacturing industry is an absolute necessity.

An industry development policy is an essential tool in achieving this goal and must continually be pursued. The CFMEU FORESTRY AND FURNISHING PRODUCTS DIVISION assert that a combination of import replacement, export expansion and industry modernisation is required if employment growth is to be promoted in real terms.


2. INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION adopts and supports the implementation of the Wood and Paper Industry Strategy (WAPIS) and sees resource security as the main priority, because without resource, industry development becomes academic and as a means of achieving the objectives we adopt the following mechanisms: -

1. Investment agreements in the industry involving guidelines and commitments by Government, employers and trade unions including domestic purchasing programs.

2. A supportive expansionary, purchasing and protective program from Federal and State Governments involving all Government Departments and agencies.

3. Planning and advisory bodies to promote technological and structural development in conjunction with investment agreements in industry.

The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION believes that investment agreements involving employer, Governments and Unions should be reached. Such investment agreements would cover:-

  • Investment and re-investment requirements over five to ten year periods, and 15 year licensing resource security.
  • Re-development and investment finance assistance and the institutions or programs from which it can be available.
  • Technology software developments, systems engineering and work environment and organisation.
  • Labour requirements, training and retraining programs.
  • Structural adjustment requirements and Trade Practices Commission consideration.
  • Pricing policies, tariffs and/or goods, technology and services.
  • Negotiations on Federal, State relations on matter such as 'Standards', provision of infrastructure, and commonality of policy.

Given undertakings by Government to give assistance to industry and commitments by employers and the trade unions in the above context, such investment agreements can also involve agreement on industrial relations matters such as:-

  • The maintenance of a stable and predictable incomes system.
  • Unions and members in the stable enterprise concerned are involved in the processes of decision making.
  • Prior determination of demarcation to avoid such disputes.
  • Processes of handling job-related disputes.


4. GOVERNMENT

The CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION believes that these types of specific Industry or Investment Agreements involving all principal CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION participants will afford the greatest possible degree of certainty and confidence on making substantive investment decisions.

An import replacement export promotion industry modernisation strategy is readily attainable through appropriate combinations of the wide range of key policy instruments available to Government, such as:-

  • Investment incentives and depreciation allowances;
  • Industry development finance (Australian Industries Development Corporation etc);
  • Export finance and insurance;
  • Research and development and technology investment assistance;
  • Government purchasing practices;
  • Overseas aid;
  • Full utilisation of 'offset' credits;
  • Bounties, tariffs and quotas;
  • Domestic marketing policies;
  • Domestic and international marketing assistance;
  • The removal of franchise restrictions on exports;
  • Employment creation programs;
  • Public works and State Government programs.


5. IMPLEMENTATION

To implement the above measures the CFMEU FOREST AND FOREST PRODUCTS DIVISION calls on the Federal Government to implement a 10-year Industry Development Plan.
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