Industry protection measures attacked

Protection measures against the dumping of cheap foreign imports in Australia have been slammed in a Productivity Commission report.

The anti-dumping system has been used by companies like SPC Ardmona to protest against cheap Italian tinned tomatoes that will now be subject to tariffs.

The commission's latest report argues the system protects a narrow window of Australian industries, rather than benefiting society as a whole.

Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm argues the anti-dumping regime is anti-consumer.

He says Australians should welcome foreign products that have had their production subsidised.

"What it amounts to is taxpayers in another country are subsidising consumers in Australia, I don't see why we would want to object to that," he told reporters in Canberra.