In 2009, the Productivity Commission conducted a ‘roots and branch’ inquiry into Australia’s anti–dumping system—the first such inquiry in more than two decades. Though recommending that a system be retained, the Commission proposed various changes to make the system less protectionist and thereby reduce its detrimental impact on the wider community.

As it has transpired, the multitude of changes introduced since then have moved the system in the opposite direction. While many of these changes are yet to fully take effect, their collective intent is to make it easier for local industries to secure anti–dumping protection and to increase the likely magnitude of the protection that is provided. Recently, further changes have been flagged to ‘strengthen’ the system.