The Victorian State Government is planning to centralise its print buying through a print management company to rationalise and standardise its print procurement which is estimated at between $15-25 million annually. The government has said it would open this print contract to American based suppliers because Australia has a Free Trade Agreement with the USA. Printing Industries opposes the offshoring of print work that can be performed in this country.
Have Your Say
Below you will find commentary from representatives in your industry. To have your say email: haveyoursay@printnet.com.au
I am the co-director of "The Laminating Company" in along with my partner David Rogers in New South Wales.
Yes, the Bracks government gives lip service to the workers on the new industrial legislation, but secretly undermines their own constituents with their money grabbing opportunities at the expense of both employers and employees. Did they forget we all pay our taxes in the country, unlike the overseas competition (without any government subsidies).
How do we continue to offer competitive conditions and wages (as the Bracks government continue to inform us) against the Chinese governments initiative of supporting the printing industry unlike our own government. How do we employ more apprentices when we can't compete, and our own government recognises this by not ensuring all tenders stay within the country.
Is there anything we can do!. Most likely not. Perhaps we all can add pressure to the winning "print management consultant", that if this work goes overseas we all united will not support your company for the other "urgent" and "speciality" work that can only be completed here in Victoria/Australia.
At least, we should all contact our local member, (particularly those mentioned in the article) or call in to radio station 3aw in Melbourne where the premier appears weekly on Neil Mitchell's morning program and voice our anger, very much like we all did when the National Bank threatened to take their printing offshore.
Hey let's form a major group to lobby the government directly, ask to be heard, c'mon it's all our future!!!!
I welcome other ideas and thoughts.
Yours Sincerely,
Barry J. Webster
Director
The Laminating Company
Hello From Inkspecta,
When I was Defence Tendering Office (1986) there was a Government police from treasury regulations that compelled the government tendering officers to purchase from Australian & New Zealand companies if the produce was of equal quality. If this has been removed then God help us all, because nobody else will.
Regards
Rod Armstrong
Owner
Inkspecta
Good on you for your comments on the Brack’s so called “initiative”
We totally agree!!
It’s good to see some young blood fighting the fight.
As always, they will keep chipping away at our industry unless people stand up.
Only recently the Victorian Govt was encouraging the local print industry to export now they’ve gone 180 degrees and “encouraging” imports against us – all to save costs, which in the end will come at an even bigger cost to everybody, including the Government.
Come on PIA give them hell. Demand mandatory local print purchasing!!!
Regards to all
Alan Goulburn
Allkotes
The treatment of Manufacturing in this country is not surprising when you take into account the occupations that most of our politicians leave behind to enter politics -- Farming, The Law, Teaching, Trade Unions and Sport. I am not aware of any current politician with a significant track record in Manufacturing or Engineering. Amongst our political "leaders" there is a dirth of experience in manufacturing. We do not have a voice at the table.
Unfortunately, there is also the question of VOTES. Until we do something to influence votes on polling day not much will change. It may be time to consider forming a manufacturing oriented political party!
Simon Phipps
Managing Director
Phillips & Father Printing Pty Ltd
Printing Industries members
This stupid and short sighted decision really does underline the lack of understanding that these parliamentarians and bureaucrats have of the importance of a viable industrial base in Victoria.
It is a much bigger picture than saving dollars in print purchasing. Apprenticeships, traineeships, standards of living, award conditions, all spring to mind.
This decision follows hard on the heels of the State Budget, which espoused more jobs, care for the environment and a future for our young people.
Hello, Spring Street, pop into the 21st Century and put you brains into gear!!!
This is a very competitive world and the "level playing field" has a decidedly steep slope on it already.
We cannot get to the briefing, but we would certainly totally support Printing Industries putting across a very strong point of view that we will not take this sort of nonsense without a fight.
We are forwarding a copy of this email to our local member
Frank Whelan
Owner
Commodore Press
Media
Vic Government print offshoring move under fire
$25 million Vic Government contract goes to print broker Print21 Online
|
|
|
|