According to the mini-budget papers, the planned 25 per cent reduction translates into an annual $31 million reduction in advertising expenditure.
Philip Andersen, CEO Printing Industries, said that the premier has been urged to insulate the print and outdoor media sector from the mini-budget measures. He said, “In our representation to the premier, we outlined several reasons why the print and outdoor media sector should be exempted from the expenditure cuts. Firstly with concerns growing about global warming and the impact of industrial activities on our natural environment, industries such as paper and printing need to be supported as they utilise a resource – paper that is fully renewable and sustainable.
“We informed the premier that paper and print are one of the most environmentally friendly communications mediums. We also pointed out that the printing medium remains the most effective communication medium. Unlike other mediums such as television, radio or the internet, the printed word has a very high retention capacity, making it a medium that successfully delivers enduring impressions and messages.”
Hagop Tchamkertenian, national manager for policy and government affairs at Printing Industries, said the premier was also informed about the economic significance of the printing industry to the NSW economy. He said, “We highlighted the fact that because the printing and associated industries are geographically dispersed, they are important employers in both metropolitan and regional areas of NSW, offering employment opportunities and contributing to economic activity.”
Tchamkertenian added that Printing Industries economic analysis shows that if the mini-budget cuts are applied to the printing medium, it would result in some $9m being taken out of the NSW governments’ printing budget. He said, “Such a reduction would translate into economy wide output losses of more than $25 million and may result in the loss of up to 180 direct and indirect jobs in the printing and associated industries.”
According to Mr Andersen the Premier was urged to make increased usage of the printing medium. He said, “Our analysis shows that compared to NSW industry in general, the NSW government currently makes less use of the printing medium. “Given the social, economic and environmental benefits associated with the printing medium, we recommended to the Premier that the NSW government should be increasing the printing budget.”
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