The Printing Industries run and Employers Mutual Limited supported lunch featured a select group of the industries major NSW printing companies concerned about the state’s future development.
Baird said the Liberal Opposition were going through a three-stage programme to prepare itself should it win office next year. This included changing the culture of government, having a process, and preparation – getting ready for government.
He said a state Liberal government would build on the government model successfully developed by Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett involving the engagement of small, medium and large companies.
Talks had already begun around Australia and internationally, including Japan, to encourage investment in NSW to grow employment under a Liberal state government.
Baird also announced that a Coalition government would provide payroll tax rebates for the first 100,000 jobs created in NSW and urged NSW printing businesses to consider employing more staff should the Coalition take office.
He said, “We also need to explore new forms of finance and are looking at superannuation funds who are looking at new products to invest in.”
Baird acknowledged that infrastructure was a major issue and said a new group to be known as Infrastructure NSW would be formed by a Liberal state government comprising Australian and international expertise to advise the government on this vital area.
Baird was questioned about escalating power charges and procurement policy and in particular how the printing industry could better connect with procurement people in government to educate them about industry environmental sustainability.
He said the party’s policy was to have a more open system of procurement with a balance of supporting local contractors and also being competitive and transparent. NSW currently had a $14.8 billion procurement spend with only three contracts in place.
A central procurement authority would be established to “do things better” and not just focus on cost cutting. He conceded that electricity charges were becoming a major issue for industry and needed to be addressed.
Philip Andersen, CEO of Printing Industries said the Association would be revisiting its specialised workers compensation scheme which was geared to assist industry but had fallen fowl of a NSW Government legislative change in 2008 withdrawing the issuing of licenses to industry based schemes.
Andersen says, “I thank Mr Baird for his directness and, should the Opposition win government next year, look forward to working with him and his colleagues for the benefit of our industry and for the NSW economy.”
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