The Printing Industries Association of Australia’s (PIAA) upcoming election will be coordinated by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) following a lengthy application process.

Historically the association has run its Board elections internally, and this year will be the first time the Board has requested the AEC.

According to PIAA chief executive Andrew Macaulay, the industry body spent the last several months liaising with the AEC after applying through WorkChoices in a bid to put its elections at ‘arms length’.

“Using the AEC for the election in October is part of the Board’s desire for a new direction with the association,” says Macaulay.

“It shows us as an industry association that operates with transparency as staff and PIAA members are completely removed from the election process.”

[Related: Flying Colours boss leaves PIAA Board]

Any other elections held by the PIAA will require a reapplication to the AEC, which Macaulay says is at the future Board’s discretion. 

‘Involving the AEC in an election is not something you do lightly, you need to go through a whole series of steps and provide accurate and detailed records,” adds Macaulay.

Current PIAA Board members are acting president Kieran May, Peter Lane as acting honorary secretary – replacing departed member Craig Pearce – treasurer Chris Segaert, Graham Jamieson, Walter Kuhn, Matt Aitken, Kellie Northwood and John Scott.

Dates for the election in October have not yet been disclosed by the PIAA.

[Related: PIAA ditches sales roles]

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