Page 52 - Print21 Magazine March April 2021
P. 52

                                                                                                                                                               90%
55%
of businesses have
Associations was the
 experienced considerable
    negative effects as a result of Covid-19.
downturn.
Industry Insights
on all businesses, TRMC supported in
July 2020, via submission to the Senate Inquiry, the proposed arrangements from Australia Post, and supported the senate and federal government’s commitment to continually review the provision’s impact on industry. In October 2020, TRMC and APIA received a request from the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher. They were requested to prepare industry insights into the Australia Post temporary service provisions. A two-minute survey was established with three short questions. The survey limit
of independent businesses was reached within 48 hours. General feedback from those surveyed was sought to expand on the survey metrics to build a deeper insight from the broader membership to develop the ‘story’ behind the numbers.
Since the original submission, TRMC members highlighted concerns in relation to the temporary service provisions and how these were impacting a struggling manufacturing sector as they work through a Covid-19 recovery period. As a large manufacturing employer, the industry has raised concerns with the ongoing temporary service provisions and the approach
from Australia Post to the reporting and protection of the letters business.
A survey across industry indicated that
85 per cent of industry have been negatively
  had
e
e
.
ent
average
x
p
n
a
nd none more so than the print manufacturing and
of businesses have
88%
the
o
es have average
e
ir
xp
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eg
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e
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result of Covid-19.
o
s
was the
o
90% 55%
72% 55% Rep90o%rt – 2020/21
experienced considerable are receiving assistance
negative effects as a under the JobKeeper
The Covid-19 pandemic throughout the 2020/21 year has impacted the
debt
o
r
r
e
l
a
t
e
d
i
ss
u
e
ec
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d
result of Covid-19. scheme.
c
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n
s
m
ts
a
iderable downturn.
y
,
a
s
downturn.
media sectors. The Real Media Collective has issued its first Industry Insights Report, which explores the impact of the pandemic.
New Zealand businesses
reported a similar 778%8%position with 93 per cent
was
      787%2% 72%
88%
   of those busihnaedsseexspohsauvere to
ce
100% of thdeibrteomr rpelolayteedsissues. had exposure to
under the JobKeeper scheme wariellraescseisivtiingkaesespisintagnce
covered under the
debtor related issues.
scheme. workersunindermtphleoyJmobeKneteper
JobKeeper scheme.
for the longescrhterme..
The Real Media Collective June
+ October 2020 Industry Insights Survey – covering the paper, print, mail and publishing sectors – reported that in Australia, 90 per
the turnaround of other significantly impacted sectors, namely retail and tourism, and the report
are receiving believe the JobKeeper
and 62 per cent taking up the government
Wage Subsidy and Wage Subsidy
Extension respectively. Additionally, 46 per cent report taking up
Small Business Loans and 63 per cent Rent Relief.
The industry vehemently outlined to federal and state
governments across both Australia and New Zealand
that the manufacturing sector of the industry will
require consideration
of an extended period
ass
istan
             78% 78%
85%
90% 77%
impacted by the temporary service
55%
 77%
provisions, with only 15 per cent reporting
 believe there is a need for
of those businesses have of busibnelsiesvees thaevJeobKeeper
June, if it assists Australia Post, and 27 per wascethnet until the 30 June date as a temporary avemrageaesure only, although 39 per cent report
ongoing business assistance
100% of their employees experisecnhcemd ecownisllidaesrsaisbtlein keeping
of those businesses have believe the JobKeeper
chain model they operate within.
to ensure future viability.
covered under the negativweoerkffercstsinaesmaployment
downtthueryn.do not support the extension of the temporary services.
100% of their employees scheme will assist in keeping
JobKeeperscheme. resultofoCrotvhied-lo1n9g.erterm.
covered under the JobKeeper scheme.
workers in employment for the longer term.
of recovery, given the
nature of the supply
temporary provisions running until 30
In short, the industry’s turnaround is reliant upon
Additional comments reveal high levels of frustration and a feeling of abandonment from Australia Post to industry, with many still of the belief that Australia Post is no longer prioritising the letters business.
Australian Made
no impact. Some 12 per cent support the
   cent of businesses had been significantly
Secondly, the industry report concedes,
There have been repeated calls from trade unions and industry bodies to government to produce all government print work in
impacted by Covid, with an average
given the industry’s low margin to output
downturnof55percenbte,laienvde7th2erpeerisc
ae n n te
ratio, it will take longer to recover when
having exposure to deobntgorinrgelbautesdiniesssuaes.sistance
believe there is a need for Australia Post
are receiving assistance
had exposure to New Zealand in a hartodern,saulrbeiftutsuhroervtiearbility.
ongoing business assistance
could assist government to implement new
85%
outlines this will contribute to a longer recovery time than will be experienced by other industries.
ed f
or
compared against high margin industries.
Australia. TRMC has been working in the background to develop a solution that
72%
88%
under the JobKeeper debtor related issues. scheme.
lockdown window initially, reported an Throughout the Covid-19 period, TRMC procurement guidelines.
 average 37.2 per cent downturn, with 70 per cent of companies reducing their hours, and 16.7 per cent of the industry’s workforce being made redundant.
In Australia, JobKeeper has been widely recognised as a key government support to keep businesses operating across the sector, with 77 per cent of the industry reporting their reliance upon the scheme from the March to June period, and 85 per cent calling for the scheme to be extended, which it was in the July government announcements.
e temporary nature of the
to ensure future viability.
and Australia Post worked closely together to develop relaxations across two main business mail sectors – Print Post and Charity Mail. Charity Mail relaxations
were issued twice and with some success. Further to the relaxations, Australia Post, due7to C8ovi%d-19 restrictions, increased parcel volumes and state-by-state variances sought a temporary service provision relaxation with the federal government.
of those businesses have 100% of their employees covered under the JobKeeper scheme.
         ive
request and the impact of the pandemic
G
n th
7
7%
of respondents have
20%–90%
experienced a downturn in work.
  obKeeper
52   Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2021
believe the J
scheme will assist in keeping
workers in employment for the longer term.
average
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