PIAA back to work with govt on fivefold target

Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) is congratulating the government on its surprise re-election, and is set to continue its lobbying on five fronts.

PIAA had issued warnings against a Labor government, believing its policies on industrial relations, particularly a much higher minimum wage and the double dipping of casuals, would damage print businsses.

The PIAA has been strongly lobbying the government for the past three years on behalf of the printing, packaging and visual communications sector, which is the country's biggest manufacturing sector. CEO Andrew Macaulay and president Walter Kuhn in particular have been regular visitors to the corridors of power in Canberra.

In particular, PIAA will be lobbying the new government on five main fronts. It is talking to the minister for jobs and industrial relations for an increase in the definition of a small business employer from 15 to 25 employees by headcount. It is seeking to get a reduction in the burden of red tape on small business from the minister for small and family business.

It is also pressing the federal treasurer for a a simplified tax system for small business, and continues to work for secure funding for apprenticeships and traineeships across the sector from the minister for skills and vocational education.

Finally, it is pressing the government for secure, stable, reliable and cheap energy for industry, through the minister for energy.

Andrew Macaulay, PIAA CEO said, “We look forward to continued open dialogue and to further strengthen our working relationship with both the government and the opposition. We want to work with the government and the parliament to make Australia the best place in the world to do business, so Australians can have the jobs, living standards and opportunities to which they aspire.”