The report demonstrates that the widespread notion that lowering tariffs destroys jobs and threatens our manufacturing industry are just not true. In the last l0 years, the growth rate of manufacturing output has increased and manufacturing exports have grown at twice the rate of total exports. And after a shakeout during the last recession, manufacturing employment is making a comeback. Mr Fischer called for public commentators to take a more positive view about the Government's support for trade liberalisation here and overseas. Too often, the media focuses on the negative aspects, especially the job losses and the pain of short term adjustment.
Globalisation rolls on regardless of what Australia does.