An alliance of business groups and unions has been formed to oppose changes to Australia Post’s Community Service Obligations and to have the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) oversight over bulk mail price increases restored.
The alliance brings together business groups representing printers and mail houses: (Printing Industries Association of Australia), Licenced Post Offices (LPO Group) and unions the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
Representatives (pictured) are Michael Tull – CPSU; Lorraine Cassin – AMWU Printing Division; John Mathieson – AMWU Retired Members; Angela Cramp – Licensed Post Office Group; Andrew Hirst – Licensed Post Office Group; Bill Healey – Printing Industries Association of Australia; Martin O'Nea – CWU.
“Our organisations have come together to voice our concern about the future of Australia Post," said alliance spokesperson Printing Industries' Bill Healey. "Australia Post has failed to outline a clear strategic direction on how it intends to deal with the challenges resulting from the emergence of the digital economy. To make matters worse, Australia Post is deliberately ignoring the views of the Australian community and the findings of their own research."
An Australia Post consumer survey found that:
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85% of people read their mail on the day it is received.
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98% of people open their mail compared to only 20-25% for email.
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67% of people still prefer to get their bills and bank statements through the mail.
The alliance is calling on all Members of Parliament to support:
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The retention of all of Australia Post’s existing community service obligations.
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The restoration of ACCC oversight of price increases in bulk lodged mail and the monitoring of service standards, as is currently the case of with Post’s community service obligations.
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The establishment of a bipartisan round table also involving all industry stakeholders to examine options for Australia Post’s future with oversight of proposals and outcomes by the senate communications committee.
“It is time Australia Post worked with industry stakeholders and the community to develop a clear strategic direction for the future of mail services rather than misleading the Australian public on the continuing effectiveness and demand for traditional mail,” Healey said. “Greater oversight is required of the management of Australia Post to ensure that a significant public asset is not irreparably damaged.”
Alliance members will meet with key independents and senators in Canberra this week to set out their vision for Australia Post’s future.