Economy-wide benefits would flow from further reductions in the relatively high tariffs on textile, clothing and footware imports, according to this report. Assistance reductions would involve some further contraction of the TCF sector, but this would be outweighed by expansion of other industries resulting from cost reductions. Consumers and taxpayers would benefit from a reduction in the $1.5 billion burden they currently bear.

The modelling also suggests that the benefits would be larger under the legislated program of reductions in tariffs to 5 per cent by 2015, than options with lesser reductions. Modelling also confirms that gains accrue even with pessimistic assumptions about employment and price effects.

The Commission’s modelling indicates that a significant further appreciation of the Australian dollar, associated with the mining boom, could have a greater impact on TCF activity than assistance reductions. But trying to offset such pressures on the TCF sector through higher assistance would impose costs elsewhere in the economy.