The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union today said that thousands of jobs in the printing and publishing industry had been saved with the Government’s decision to keep the 30-day rule intact.

The Productivity Commission’s recommendation to abolish the 30-day rule had thrown the industry into question, as any removal of the restriction would have seen drastic job losses and reduction in revenue for an otherwise thriving industry.

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver congratulated the Federal Government and Kevin Rudd for resisting the Productivity Commission’s out of touch perspective.

“This is a win for the Print industry, it is a win for the community of Maryborough, and most importantly it is a win for Australian jobs,” said Mr Oliver.

“The Productivity Commission has once again put forth an agenda that is at odds with preserving Australian jobs.

“In the past they have been critical of the auto industry packages which have saved jobs and retained key manufacturing skills on local soil.

“If the Government had listened to their criticism of Print industry’s regulative measures that promote local production, we would have seen massive job losses from a valuable industry in regional hubs such as Maryborough.

“We renew our call to abolish the Productivity Commission.

“It has proven itself detrimental to Australian jobs at a time when this must be our priority,” said Mr Oliver.