Issues raised with the Minister included the current state of the printing industry; the need for a succession planning programme within the context of an industry adjustment package; implementing the outstanding recommendations of the Print21 Action Agenda; examining alternative industry training arrangements; undertaking sectoral based impact assessments for all future free trade agreements; government promotion and support for environmental accreditation initiatives; the annual report issue; and the Industry Statement which will be released this year.

Printing Industries National president, Peter Lane welcomed the meeting with the minister and says the association succeeded in bringing to his attention a number of industry issues which require government response.

“We took the opportunity to profile the industry in a favourable way highlighting to the minister the hybrid nature of the industry – being both a manufacturing industry and a service industry,” he says.

“The important role that the printing industry plays as a conduit to the information technology industries was also stressed during the meeting.”

Printing Industries CEO, Philip Andersen, says the minister confirmed that he would be a key note speaker at the inaugural “Industry Leaders Forum” which will be held in Sydney on Thursday, March 8.

“The Minister indicated to us that he looks forward to meeting the leaders of the printing industry,” Andersen says.

Printing Industries National Policy and Research manager, Hagop Tchamkertenian, rates the meeting with the minister positively.

“The Minister was appreciative of the range of issues that were raised during the meeting. A number of them were well received which now gives us an opportunity to raise them with appropriate government ministers,” he says.

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