Members of the Newspaper Publishers’ Association/PANPA have voted to close the organisation so it can amalgamate with The Newspaper Works.

At an extraordinary general meeting in Sydney this week, acting president Liam Roche announced the decision to board members. The vote marks the end of PANPA and the NPA after four decades.

“The board of the Newspaper Publishers’ Association sees great benefit in this amalgamation and believes it will enhance services and ensure the future of industry representation,” says Roche.

And he praised members and associates for theIr support: “Our partners and suppliers have been tremendous supporters of PANPA over the years.

“We appreciate the fact that many have invested thousands of dollars in supporting trade shows and exhibitions, supporting conferences, sponsoring awards and being loyal members over the years.”

Four groups are part of the amalgamation designed to improve the services to the industry. They are the NPA, The Newspaper Works, the Publishers’ National Environment Bureau and the Publishers’ Advertising Advisory Bureau.

Roche says it had questioned whether the newspaper industry had been getting value from the cost of financing these groups, “while they have four boards and four separate strategies and engagement models.

“Instead, we believe that one organisation with one voice, one board, one strategy and a united leadership will represent an organisation of greater value and purpose.”

PANPA’s Newspaper of the Year Awards will continue and all communications will continue to be shared with members, regardless of their geography. NPA says it enters the amalgamation “in a position of financial strength” with membership transferring to The Newspaper Works, which is headed by chief executive Tony Hale.