Workers push the case for Australian paperFriday 13 Dec 2013 The future of the Australian Paper mill in the Shoalhaven might come down to something as simple as governments and businesses buying Australian-made paper. A delegation of Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) pulp and paper workers travelled to Canberra last week to meet with federal parliamentarians, including Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis, to discuss challenges facing the industry.Union officials attempted to gain assurances that federal government departments and agencies would use Australian-made paper and prevent the dumping of cheap overseas imports on the local market. National secretary of the union’s Pulp and Paper Division Alex Millar said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Shoalhaven mill was shut down. He said if the mill didn’t get some support and protection its days could be numbered. In its heyday the Shoalhaven mill employed 600-plus workers, now it is down to less than 100. “The Bomaderry mill hasn’t made a profit for three years,” he said. “If it had been in the hands of a less committed operator than Nippon Paper, it would have closed years ago. “Nippon Paper has shown a lot of patience, it will not last forever.” Workers sought the MPs’ support as part of their Don’t Shred Pulp and Paper Jobs initiative, a part of the CFMEU’s Let’s Spread it Around campaign. “We will continue talks and will endeavour to get MPs to sign a pledge to set the right example to the community by buying Australian-made paper and paper products for their offices and personal use,” Mr Millar said. Source: South Coast Register
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