The premier’s involvement was a response to intense lobbying by Printing Industries and a coalition of industry companies and organisations following concerns that the government was preparing to outsource some of its estimated $15-$25m worth of annual print work to overseas companies.

Printing Industries general manager Victoria and Tasmania, Ron Patterson, says that the involvement of the premier and assurances he has given would be welcomed by the printing industry.

“The premier has told us he shares our concerns about print work being moved to low cost countries and has said he is opposed to such cost cutting measures because they are not in the long-term interests of the community,” says Patterson.

“He has expressed confidence in what he termed our ’world class’ printing industry in meeting his government’s requirements and continuing to play a vital economic role in Victoria.”

Patterson says the premier has agreed to Printing Industries’ call for establishment of an industry based advisory panel to monitor the print management arrangements and to periodically review the appointed print manager’s performance.

“We welcome this and will be working to ensure that purchasing decisions are transparent and auditable and that industry members are dealt with fairly and openly,” says Patterson.

Patterson says that Printing Industries is pleased with the assurance given by premier Bracks that his government was committed to ensuring the long-term viability and competitiveness of the Victorian printing industry.

“We still have concerns about the way in which this issue developed and have expressed these concerns to the premier.

“However we do appreciate his commitment and will continue our dialogue with him to ensure a satisfactory outcome for the industry,” concludes Patterson.

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