The Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) has a new industrial relations advocate with Sam Puri appointed to the role.

Puri will oversee the association’s industrial relations advocacy program, as well as provide over the phone HR assistance, while also advocating for the vocational and educational training needs of the industry.

His appointment follows the departure of former industrial relations advocate Paul Mitchell, who left the association in December following a scandal over his apparent referral to fellow Victorian Liberal Party volunteers of Indian descent as “curries”.

PIAA chief executive officer Andrew Macaulay says Puri will bring important firepower to the association, especially ahead of the looming federal election.

“We are very excited to have him because he is a superbly qualified industrial relations officer and advocate,” Macaulay says.

“We are heading into a federal election year where between both major parties there is actually going to be a polar difference to workplace relations law and this is going to be pivotal.

“He holds two post graduate degrees one in industrial relations law and the other one in human resources. He is highly regarded in the sector and he was interested and contacted us.

Macaulay says Puri’s previous work experience includes advocacy work at a number of other associations and commercial businesses in Australia.

Suri was appointed last week and Macaulay says he’s already been put to work.

“He’s on board now but he did technically start last week because he got involved in a negotiation with a government minister for us last week. It was about skilled workers visas and lobbying on behalf of some members who needed some very specialised skills,” Macaulay says.

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