Industry groups and trade unions are banding together in an alliance to lobby the government to keep Australia Post in check. The group is making two key demands to protect the viability of direct mail: reinstating ACCC oversight of bulk mail price rises and preserving the mail carrier’s community service obligations to deliver every weekday. Australia Post is already requesting its obligations be relaxed due to mounting losses for its mail division.

Shoulder to shoulder, l-r: Michael Tull (CPSU), Lorraine Cassin (AMWU printing division), John Mathieson (AMWU retired members), Angela Cramp and Andrew Hirst (Licensed Post Office Group), Bill Healey (PIAA) and Martin O’Nea (CWU)

The alliance brings together the PIAA, Licenced Post Offices (LPO Group), Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU). They are also lobbying for a bipartisan round table with stakeholders to examine options for Australia Post’s future. It is unclear how this will play out beyond the two key demands, as the unions are unlikely to support cuts to Australia Post staff that many in the industry consider necessary to create a more efficient and profitable operation. Bill Healey, CEO of the PIAA and alliance spokesperson, says Australia Post is deliberately ignoring the views of the Australian community and the findings of its own research. An Australia Post consumer survey found 85 per cent of people read their mail on the day it is received; 98 per cent open mail compared to 20-25 per cent for email; and 42 per cent of customers preferred to receive bills and statements by mail as opposed to 31 per cent by email, 25 per cent both mail and email. Healey says, “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. “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. “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 independent MPs and senators in Canberra to lay out their vision for Australia Post’s future.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter