Labor promises a new role for print

A manufacturing network and industry innovation councils would provide direct benefits to the printing industry under a Federal Labor Government.

These proposals were outlined by the ALP's Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, during a meeting this week in Canberra with representatives from the Printing Industries Association of Australia.

Printing Industries was represented by CEO Philip Andersen, national policy and research manager Hagop Tchamkertenian and government relations manager Barry Neame.

Andersen said the ALP's undertaking to invest $100 million over four years for establishment of a Manufacturing Network was welcome news.

Pictured: (l-r) Senator Kim Carr, ALP’s Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research with Printing Industries CEO, Philip Andersen.

"One of the key services to be provided by the Manufacturing Network involves benchmarking. We recommended that, should the ALP win government, it should explore how Printing Industries industry specific benchmarking facilities could be made available to interested companies via the proposed Manufacturing Network," he said.

"We also raised the issue of an Industry Adjustment Package to assist companies to either exit the industry or to restructure and adopt new technologies and business models to improve performance and overall competitiveness.

"Printing Industries research shows that a significant proportion of business owners are planning to leave the industry within the next five years and a majority within the next 10 years.

"We want the government to allocate funds for a succession planning program in the printing industry."

Senator Carr told the delegation that he was aware that the industry no longer received specific government support despite the myriad of issues and challenges it faced. He foreshadowed the establishment of Industry Innovation Councils.

"The printing industry would have an important role as part of an expanded Wood and Paper Products Innovation Council. This would comprise high level decision makers and experts working together to build an innovation culture in Australian businesses, research institutions, universities, and at all levels of government," Andersen said.

Tchamkertenian said Senator Carr stressed that the ALP was planning an holistic approach to industry policy focusing on improving research and development, lifting productivity, using government procurement strategically, tackling market access issues, and addressing OHS and greenhouse related issues.

Neame said the delegation also sought feedback on the measures a future Labor Government would take to increase the proportion of government contract work that is awarded to local small to medium-sized businesses.

"Concerns were raised about the operation of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in impeding moves towards industry consolidation and rationalisation," he said.

The Senator said the ALP appreciated the printing industry's economic contribution to the Australian economy and looked forward to working with the industry in the future.

Andersen thanked Senator Carr for his time and presented him with a copy of the industry promotional DVD Imagine: A World Without Print? to underscore the vital role of print in a contemporary world.