Deregulation and Restructuring: the (Unintended) Consequences of Australian Labor's TCF Industry Policy 1983–1996

Abstract

This paper examines the fate and possible future of the clothing industry, which has been deeply affected by the Australian Labor Party's (ALP) programme of ‘structural adjustment’ and industry policy reform. The trade and industry development policy in Australia is evaluated by examining two influential ‘industry development’ reports: the Garnaut Report and the Pappas/Carter Report, the latter of which offers the mainstream challenge. Following an examination of the structure of the Australian clothing industry, the paper looks at the impact of the radical shift in government industry policy in the 1980s and considers and assesses the Industries Assistance Commision's TCF (Textile, Clothing, and Footwear) Plan, the key feature of which was the dismantling of the quota system. The effects of the imposed changes to the working practices and strategies of both the major and minor principals involved in the industry are examined and conclusions drawn as to the future plans open to producers to cope with possible new government policy.

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