Page 32 - Print21 Nov-Dec 2019

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The PVCA is pressing hard for a national training programme, with some success. The hot industrial relations topic is the status of casuals and the so-called double dipping of wage loading and entitlements. When it comes to sustainability the message from print is that there is no means of communication that is anywhere near as eco-friendly as print. And printers expressed their frustration with public money being used for overseas print – for short-sighted saving but in reality for a loss.
One printer told me, “We deal
with a government institution in Melbourne. We lost a job to China on price. We tried to say to the client that a $400,000 job that you can get for $300,000 is $300,000 that has gone out of the country. The $400,000 you pay us would stay in the country, and you (the government) would get much more than $100,000 back in taxes of various kinds. But they won’t see it, they are just focused on the short term bottom line saving.”
Opening the evening PVCA CEO Andrew Macaulay said that printers and politicians talking to each other could only be a positive, given the size and importance of the industry.
Steve Assimo from sponsor Media Super highlighted to the
1 (l-r) Andrew Macaulay, PVCA; Darren Hall, Procurement Group; Peter Zapris, Ellikon Fine Printers
2 (l-r) Sam Dobie, The20; Julie Collins MP; Ben Cornell, PVCA
politicians the role of industry super funds in supporting their industries. He was crystal clear
in spelling out the benefits of the current industry super funds, which are being reviewed by Parliament in light of the Royal Commission. Industry super funds essentially want politicians to
back off and leave them to it, with Assimo pointing out the great returns and other benefits the funds provide. The Labor Party of course lost the last election in no small part to saying it was going
to mess with super, through its proposed franking credits changes, a proposal that was rejected by voters. The Coalition seems little better though, super funds say that two thirds of current government legislation is around the finance sector. Assimo told the politicians to let the industry super funds keep on doing what they do best.
The Hon Paul Fletcher, minister for Communications and Arts, addressed the crowd. He said, “Politicians are of course large consumers of print, and we are passionate about local industry. Print underpins many other sectors, and is itself a large employer, and we recognise that, and that yours is an industry undergoing significant disruption.
“The digital economy is impacting on many parts of society, and
print is no exception. There are fundamental changes going on, lines are being redrawn.
“Tonight is a showcase of Australian print, congratulations to the industry for outstanding work.
“We are pleased that this event Print2Parliament is taking place,
I know my colleagues from all sides and both houses are looking forward to meeting and talking tonight.
Minister Fletcher was followed on the podium by opposition MP Milton Dick, member for Oxley, who told printers that as far as politicians were concerned, print would remain a key part of their communication mix. MPs and Senators from all states were at the event.
Andrew Macaulay, PVCA
CEO said, “For a second year,
we are delighted at the level of engagement at this event, which
is incredibly beneficial to the entire print, packaging, and visual communications industry. The PVCA maintains an open dialogue with the Federal Government, as well as working collaboratively with our partners and friends in the industry to keep the industry moving forward. Events such as Print2Parliament! assure us of keeping momentum.” 21
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3 Stephen Assimo,
Media Super
4 (l-r) Susan Whitlam, Suki & Co; Russell
Fray, Chapel Press; Ken McNamara and Joe Arena, Procurement Australia
5 (l-r) Paul Ross, Holmesglen; Nicole Danger, Chapel Press; Debbie Shields, CanPrint;
and Ilija Jordanoski, CanPrint
32 Print21 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019