It is not known if motivation for the reduction in costs
is linked to an alleged rort in South East Queensland involving a printer and
several Liberal party MPs

The former Coalition Government increased the allowances last year from
$125,000 to $150,000 and added a provision that allowed a maximum $67,500 of
unspent allowance to be rolled over into the next year.

Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen
said that both political parties made extravagant spending promises during the
election campaign that would have to be paid for regardless of who won. However
he says, "Cutting printing allowances is not the way to pay for them,
particularly when it involves the most effective and retentive way of getting
your message across, direct mail.

"If the Labor Government is going to fulfill its promise of greater
accountability and transparency then it's going to need to communicate
consistently with the electorate. It needs to be innovative with its
communications if it wants people to understand and appreciate its important
messages.

"Our industry has technology and innovative processes that can be
used to enhance government communication, making it attractive and individual
and increasing its effectiveness.

"But you need to know how to use it effectively and the best way of
doing this is to talk to the printing industry." he said.

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