Printers have come together in Canberra to show off their print work while discussing the challenges of being in business in Australia with federal politicians at the second annual Print2Parliament in Canberra.

Federal communications minister Paul Fletcher opened the event which provided a platform for conversations about the promotion of Australia first procurement policies for government departments, industrial relations challenges, energy and education.

Print and Visual Communication Association chief executive officer Andrew Macaulay said events like Print2Parliament are crucial for giving decision makers direct insight into the needs of industry from those on the ground.

“It is so exciting to see the industry backing itself,” Macaulay told Sprinter at the event.

“When politicians meet with people that are passionate about the policy points being raised and how these impact their ability to employ people and be competitive and innovative, it means I can go back and talk to politicians and  actually have a detailed discussion based on an understanding that it is genuine industry need, so it is exciting.

“This is how the industry gets stronger.”

Fletcher spoke about the genuine interest in print that politicians all share, in most part due to the fact they are such large consumers and users of the printed product.

“When it comes to printing we are enthusiastic about it. We are quite big consumers of what your industry produces and that is an indicator that yours is an industry that facilitates and underpins and enables so many other industries in our country, be it newspapers, publishing, be it real estate, be it advertising and marketing,” Fletcher told the gathering in Mural Hall at Parliament House.

“Of course as we have heard your sector is a very large manufacturing industry, in fact it is the largest manufacturing industry and a major employer all around Australia.”

Industry super fund, Media Super, sponsored the event with executive manager, growth – member and advice development Stephen Assimo also addressing the crowd.

“As an organisation we exist to maximise the retirement benefits of our members and those working in the print and visual communication industries and we have been doing a fantastic job of it by offering a high performing and low cost product relevant to those working in the industry,” Assimo said.

“Being the industry fund representing printing industries we understand the importance of supporting events like this which promote sustainability and growth of what Andrew has said already is Australia’s largest manufacturing industry.”

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was also in attendance and showed great interest in the works on display, including the National Print Awards winner of the Judges Choice, Tram Windows, printed by Press Print in Melbourne.

“The industry has been doing it tough. We are also getting competition from China and the printing industry there. China are offering to print cards 100 business cards for $10. Australians find it hard to compete with that so they have to be innovative,” Hanson told Sprinter.

“But what I am finding is that people are actually drifting back to Australian companies for printing and packaging because they feel that they want assurance and they are looking back to getting things done in Australia.”

Macaulay said the industry will only get stronger through more events such as the Print2Parliament.

A strong contingent of printers were in attendance including Kirsten and James Taylor from Taylor’d Press, Spencer Hast of Press Print, Peter Zapris of Ellikon Fine Printing and Darren Hall of Shepparton’s Prominent Group.

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