SA mail centre to remain open

PIAA is increasing its lobbying efforts in Canberra, briefing Senator Abetz prior to a senate hearing with Ahmed Fahour, in which Abetz then grilled the outgoing AusPost CEO until getting a commitment to keep South Australia’s mail distribution centre open.

The exchange began with Senator Abetz questioning, “Do we have a business mail centre in every capital city in Australia? Are there any moves to close the one in Adelaide?”

Fahour responded “We have them in all the major cities.”

When asked for clarification on the Adelaide centre, Fahour made reference to a lower mailing volume, and how Australia Post is filling the traditional mailing gap with the parcel business.

Senator Abetz cut straight back to the point, saying “That is good for the people who want jobs and parcels delivered. For those who are in the printing and mailing business, it is extremely cold comfort, especially for those who have to deliver within Adelaide if the business mail centre is going to be closed. Surely somebody must know whether or not that is planned.”

Fahour eventually committed to keeping it open, saying “There is no plan to close the mail centre of Adelaide. What people might be confused with, is that we are looking for a different property. We are looking at moving, not closing.”

The PIAA says, “This is a huge relief to our SA members who do bulk mail, and gives them a degree of certainty. Although today was Fahour’s last Senate Estimates, his word is on the parliamentary record as to Australia’s Post’s intention as of today.

“The Federal Government is promoting international trade.  To have any Australian business competing in the international services sector is noteworthy in itself. For a government monopoly to make an arbitrary decision threatening that international participation and its related employment, would be extraordinary.”

“We are pleased by the reassurance that it is not so.”

Abetz says, “For the printing sector and also for getting distribution out it is very important. If you do not have a mail centre in Adelaide it will hasten the demise of the printing sector, which is the biggest manufacturing sector in Australia.”

Abetz made specific references to the issues Australia Post claims to have with the Adelaide centre, the ‘low ceiling’ and ‘antiquated building’. PIAA says the low-ceiling should not be a problem, ‘as whilst Adelaide’s ceilings are indeed low, sorting equipment is more long than high’.

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