Government wants to work with industry on new print procurement model

The Federal Government is looking at changes to its print procurement practices and has agreed to involve Printing Industries from the start of the process to help meet its objectives.

Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen said the Association had recently become aware of the proposal and has now confirmed that the government's Department of Finance and Deregulation is looking at ways to consolidate/centralise its vast government print procurement structure in the belief that it will save substantial sums of money.

 "We have also confirmed that the Department is proposing to undertake a scoping study in several months time and planned to invite Printing Industries to participate as part of its industry consultative process," he said.

"However we believe that there is an opportunity and, indeed, a necessity for us to engage the Department immediately and work with it in the early planning phases, before the scoping paper is drafted, and to have input into its preparation. We believe this is critical on behalf of our ACT industry members and other members around the country who may be affected."

Andersen said that even though the Government was only at the beginning of its deliberations, a rapid industry response was essential based on several known factors.

These include:

* The increased potential for work to flow overseas.
* The Government cannot guarantee that all its procurement will be done in Australia or sourced from Australia due to Free Trade Agreement constraints.
* A move to whole of government print management will end the relationship that currently exists between the supplier and the client.
* The possible introduction of a "portal system" could see jobs awarded via a lowest bid criterion.
* The principle of "Value for money" would therefore likely be compromised.

 "At this time I can report that we have been successful in persuading the Department to let us work with them at this early stage of their deliberations," Andersen said.

"As a consequence of this it is very important that we establish which member companies have had dealings with Federal Government contracts. This is necessary to establish who the industry stakeholders are and to get their involvement and feedback in the process we are about to undertake."

Andersen called on industry companies with an interest in government print procurement to contact Printing Industries with their details and information on their current or previous involvement. Information can be supplied via this link or by calling Printing Industries national manager for policy and government affairs, Hagop Tchamkertenian on (02) 8789 7300.