ODMA keeps up the fight for tariff removal – submission made to the Government to include optical tariffs on the list of nuisance tariffs the Government is set to abolish.

This is to advise members that ODMA is keeping up the fight to keep the abolishment of optical-related tariffs as a key matter for the Government to address.

 After unsuccessful appeals and submissions to BorderForce and various Ministers in 2023 on the back of the revocation of the Tariff Concession Orders (TCOs), ODMA turned its attention to submissions regarding the EU Fair Trade Agreement.

Unfortunately, when those negotiations fell over late last year, we had no choice but to return to letters to the Government. ODMA wrote to the ABF Commissioner again, Senator Paterson, the Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, and Minister Farrell for Trade and Tourism. These letters were sent in February 2024 outlining that a legislative technicality penalised our industry and its consumers without providing any broader benefit. We noted our disappointment at the Government’s inability to progress the EU-FTA. We asked that the tariff for imports from the EU be unilaterally removed to return our industry to the prior situation and as an act of goodwill towards the EU.

Given the recent media coverage of the Government reviewing tariffs that are considered nuisance tariffs, we have now written to the Treasury Department to ask that optical products be included in the list of tariffs considered nuisance tariffs.

I am happy to share this letter with ODMA members the link is at the bottom of this letter post.

The main tone of this letter is that removing these tariffs would return the longstanding policy position and ensure Australian companies no longer face the recent increased compliance and cost burden imposed. It will also level the playing field between products from the EU and China.

The Treasurer recently described nuisance tariffs as “These tariffs do not protect Australian workers and businesses, but they still have to navigate the red tape involved and bear the costs of complying with the tariff regime”. Thus, we consider the tariff on spectacle frames to be consistent with this description.

 We will be sure to keep you all posted with any responses to our correspondence that we receive.

 Regards

 Amanda

CEO

ODMA

 To Read Letter Click Here - Nuisance Tariff Consultation – Submission by the Optical Distributor and Manufacturers Association (ODMA)