Issue 22 – 2006
1. Victorian Labor Government support for local Manufacturing moves from neutral to negative
The announcement this week that all Government print will be sourced through a broker is a naively developed policy which will see Print revenue and jobs leave Victoria and probably Australia. The Department of Premier and Cabinet have dreamt up this wonderful scheme – with no discussion or reference to even their own Department of Industry. Up until now, any supplier to the Government has had a list of criteria to be met to be considered a suitable supplier. Meeting these criteria incurs costs.
So this diabolically clever scheme to cut costs is to push printing beyond arms length, where the supplying printers need no OH&S or environmental systems etc….. Brilliant!
A couple of quotes from the current Victorian Government Purchasing Board Procurement Policies:
(p25) “For all relevant purchases, departments must include environmental considerations in the procurement planning stage, tender specifications and where applicable, in the tender evaluation criteria”
(p23) “The government has introduced a Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) to increase opportunities for local suppliers to win government business”
They obviously have principles, but know when to forget them.
We have no issues with Print Management consultants, and in this case there may well be a case for using one. However, there is absolutely no reason not to mandate Government printing is handled locally.
We may be great at making coffee in Victoria, but if we (led by the Government) keep this up, that’s all we’ll be making.
Neither Andrew Hockley, nor Susan Hayward who is responsible for the tendering process, from the Department of Premier and Cabinet are prepared to talk to us, and have referred us to the “briefing session for interested parties on 16 June”.
It’s a long way from the constructive dialogue we have with many other Government Departments.
We’ll let you know time and place when we have further details. Contact: Tony Duncan or Have your Say.
2. Workplace Agreement Workshops
Printing Industries will be conducting half day workshops regarding workplace agreements exclusively for members. The workshop will include a presentation from key personnel from the Office of the Employment Advocate and will give your business a thorough understanding of the new types of agreements available under the Workchoices Legislation.
Sessions will be held:
Melbourne Tuesday 20 June 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Hobart Wednesday, 28 June 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
Melbourne Wednesday 12 July 8.30 am – 12.30 pm
If you would like to attend one of these sessions (cost $100 including GST per person), please contact Jim Hargrave or Elaine Brodie.
3. 2005 LIA/Heidelberg Victorian Graduate of the Year
On Wednesday, 24 May 2006 the Victorian branch of LIA held its 2005 LIA/Heidelberg Victorian Graduate of the Year Awards night at RMIT, Brunswick campus. Seven finalists competed to be named Graduate of the Year. The winner was Matthew Annesley who represented Placard when nominated for this award. Mr Lindsay Banks Chairman of the awards panel said Matthew was a very worthy winner whose interview preparation was excellent. He said that security printing on plastic was a very challenging task but the examples he presented were of very high quality. Special thanks to Heidelberg Australia, who are the main sponsor of this award.
4. Industry Growth down, but Up….
Australian Bureau of Statistics data released this week shows a 1.7 per cent fall in industry activity in seasonally adjusted terms and a 0.4 per cent fall when measured in trend terms for the March 2006 quarter compared to the December 2005 quarter. However compared to the same period 12 months ago economic activity was up by 3.7 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis and by 2.3 per cent on a trend basis. For further information go to Printnet.
5. Australia's International Competitiveness Ranking
Australia has been ranked 6th in the world, up from 9th position last year, in terms of the overall competitiveness of the economy as reported by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2006. The United States tops the list, followed by Hong Kong (2nd), Singapore (3rd), Iceland (4th), and Denmark (5th). Australia is ahead of Japan (17th), China (19th), the UK (21st) and India 29th. The overall competitiveness scoreboard combines four factors of competitiveness: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency and Infrastructure.
(advertisement)
6. You need to focus on your print jobs, not your networks
“I often get asked, in the printing industry, if I can suggest a contact for computer network support (it seems to be a black hole in this industry). We use Total Network Support. They have become a business partner with us by offering the highest level of network/IT support. Because of our relationship with them we have the right structure and tools to run our business smoothly.” – Troy Riley – (Director) – Bambra Press
Total Network Support is Australian owned and operated, and provides professional services, hardware, software and technical support. Using our services is just like having your own multi-skilled, multi-person IT department, with expert assistance, ongoing maintenance, and a comprehensive understanding of the technology needs of your business.
TNS - Microsoft Gold Certified Partner & Microsoft Small Business Specialist.
For Total Network Support call 1300 TNS TNS (1300 867 867) Web: www.tns.com.au Email: sales@tns.com.au
7. Training Courses
Costing and
Estimating for
Printers July 10,
11
Print Sales July 20, 21, August 3, 4
Customer Service that Excels September 13
Print Production Management October 11, 12, 13
New Manager/Supervisor October 4, 5, 6
Go to Printnet or contact Michelle for a complete list of our upcoming training courses.
8. What’s On
To find out What’s on in the world of print go to What’s On
And Finally
Dogs will sit loyally at your feet while you work ... cats sit on the work!
The Team at Printing Industries Association of Australia
18-20 Queens Avenue
Hawthorn Vic 3122
Ph 03 9291 5333
Fx 03 9819 6292
michelle@printnet.com.au
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