Australian Labour Party, the main opposition party to the government, has pledged to review textile tariff reduction proposals if it wins the next elections. It also promises to invest A$770 million ($532 million) into the sector and to offer other assistance including an import credit scheme.

Kim Carr, the party’s spokesman, said that the government would not pass legislation for 2010 tariff reductions until an industry review in 2008.The Australian government announced in 2003 that it would reduce most textile, clothing and footwear tariffs from 10-25% to 5-17.5% by the end of 2009.

Bruck Textiles, a major textile employer in north-east Victoria, has welcomed the plan. Its Chief Executive Officer, Allan Williamson, said that Australia is committed to its trading blocs and to the World Trade Organization, adding that politicians should respect those commitments.

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