Momentum continues to build following the successful initiatives of Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) to engage State and Federal politicians in understanding the impact of the energy crisis facing our industry.

Western Australia PIAA Board representative Graham Jamieson, along with Quality Press Managing Director, Atish Shah, met with Robin Scott MLC of One Nation in the Western Australian Parliament last week.

As a demonstration of the association’s apolitical approach to government lobbying and the need to engage across the political spectrum, this meeting successfully raised the profile of our industry and the challenges we face.

Graham Jamieson says, “Once again, we were met with surprise as to the scale and importance of the printing industry to our economy.”

“We stressed the urgency of energy relief to our sector and Mr Scott appeared genuinely interested in the policies recommended by the association. We also raised awareness that WA was the only state that does not allow businesses to sell excess solar energy back to the grid”, Mr Jamieson said.

The nature of the meeting extended beyond energy to other areas of priority for the printing industry such as vocational education and training. “We made it clear from a manufacturing industry perspective that the recent decision of the WA government to abolish the payroll tax exemption for apprentices and trainees will impact the motivation of business to train new employees”.

Intended engagement with the printing industry will not end with the meeting, with a timeline of 2 weeks agreed for One Nation to raise additional questions.