CWU lobbies federal politicians on importance of Community Service Obligations
National Assistant Secretary, Martin O’Nea spent time this week in Canberra talking to politicians about moves by the CEO to have the Community Service Obligations reduced by the Communications Minister.
As members are aware, the traditional mail service is alive and well with billions of items still in the system. Martin spent the week reminding politicians from all sides of this fact. Martin met with Malcolm Turnbull’s office and Shadow Minister Jason Clare, the Greens and a number of Senators from the Communications Committee also received a briefing.
Bob Katter is also a strong supporter of our efforts to maintain the current Community Service Obligations and was very critical of the CEO’s attempts to talk down the traditional mail service at every opportunity. The Community Service Obligations can be varied by the Minister, but these variations can be subject to a disallowance motion by the Senate.
We are focussed on pointing out to all politicians the billions of dollars in economic activity that is generated by the traditional mail service.
A postie’s role may well be different in 20 years’ time, but today the postie is as relevant as he was 20 years ago. 4.5 billion letters last year attest to that fact.
