Page 69 - Print21 Jan-Feb 2020

Association News
News updates from the Print & Visual Communications Association
CMhapel Press hosts ministerial visit
PVCA says AusPost mail hike bTaffling
he ACCC has given the country’s mailing monopoly AusPost the green light to impose its latest
inflation-busting price rises onto business, with PVCA describing the ACCC’s decision as “baffling” and “rewarding AusPost failures”, and predicting the rises will have a “substantial impact” on the print and mail industry.
The basic postal rate (BPR)
for letters rose by 10 per cent
on January 20 to $1.10, and
the BPR is used as the reference point and gateway for AusPost to initiate business mail rate rises. Mailing rates for letters have already risen by more than 50 per cent in the last three years.
The AusPost strategy for dealing with falling letter volumes by raising prices and decreasing service levels has long been ridiculed by a frustrated print and mailing industry, which points out that the strategy
does nothing but exacerbate the collapsing volumes.
Reacting to the latest price hike, the print business owners association PVCA says it is “extremely disappointed at the ACCC’s decision to not object to the Australia Post price increase on the Basic Postal Rate”.
Andrew Macaulay, CEO
of the PVCA says, “There is
a direct correlation between Australia Post mail price hikes and a decline in mail volume, which is a negative impact
on commerce, and negatively effects our members and the broader industry at large. We are incredibly disappointed and frustrated at this decision.”
According to the PVCA, the ACCC has again failed to contain a monopoly which
is damaging to Australian commerce. It says when the basic postal rate increases, there is a demonstrable effect on print and mail volumes in the months following. 21
ultiple National Print Awards Gold winning Chapel Press has hosted
a visit from federal cabinet minister Greg Hunt.
Hunt, Minister for Health and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service and Cabinet, visited Chapel in Somerville, Victoria, to congratulate director Russell Fray and the team on its outstanding successes.
Hunt told Print21 that he appreciated the importance of print to the Australian economy.
“Traditional printers like here at Chapel Press play an important role in our modern printing industry.
“It was good to speak to Russell Fray and the team to congratulate them on their four gold medals from the National Print Awards, as well as chat to their apprentice Nicole Danger, who recently won Apprentice of the Year,” he said.
PVCA applauds public service rTeshuffle as good for business
Taking an interest: Greg Hunt MP (centre right) learns more about print at Chapel Press from (l-r) Nicole Danger, 2019 LIA Victoria Apprentice of the Year; Andrew Macaulay, CEO PVCA; and Russell Fray, director Chapel Press
Andrew Macaulay, CEO PVCA, said the association has made representations to the minister on behalf of members, which have resulted in Hunt advocating for tax and energy relief for SMEs – a category that includes the majority of print businesses.
“We are pleased to facilitate the ongoing dialogue between
MPs and the printers in their electorates. MPs are listening
to our members in regard to the challenges faced by the print and packaging industries,”
said Macaulay.
Hunt took an interest in the makeup of the print industry during his visit, and particularly in apprentices and training. 21
he PVCA has reform. PVCA commends stable energy following this applauded PM Scott the PM for responding to change,” he said, adding that Morrison’s move to industry recommendations, the merger of communications cut four government and moving away from some with infrastructure and departments, saying of the ideological but illogical transport would be good for
it will cut red tape and help structures inherited from his the NBN rollout.
small business.
Under the reshuffle the
employment and education departments will merge;
energy will be uncoupled from environment and merged
with industry, innovation and science, while environment
will merge with agriculture;
and communications and arts will join infrastructure and transport. Emissions will remain within the energy portfolio.
Andrew Macaulay, CEO PVCA, told Print21 that the reorganisation is good news for business. “This is essentially about harmonising service delivery, removing conflicting silos, and cutting red tape.
It is a positive and timely
predecessor,” he said. According to Macaulay,
the mergers of education and employment, and of energy with industry, innovation and science, are particularly promising.
“Employment is intrinsically linked with VET, TAFE and post-school training. By creating a single department, this would allow better planning; better alignment of various curricula; and the creation of a pipeline of school-leavers and job-seekers into trade and industry.
“Also, high-energy needs
of trade and manufacturing should be considered under the industry portfolio. PVCA would expect to see some movement in the space of affordable
PM Morrison said it would make the public service more streamlined and efficient.
“Australians should be able
to access simple and reliable services, designed around
their needs. Having fewer departments will allow us to bust bureaucratic congestion, improve decision-making and ultimately deliver better services for the Australian people.
“The new structure will drive greater collaboration on important policy challenges. For example, integrating the Government’s education and skills agenda, and ensuring living in regional areas can access the infrastructure and services they need,” he said. 21
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