Regions fearful of postal cutbacks
The long-term viability of Mackay Mail Centre could be affected by Australia Post’s plans to reduce the frequency and quality of its mail service.
The long-term viability of private operators who run small licensed post offices (LPOs) is also threatened by Post’s rationalisation plans in Queensland’s regional areas.
A group of Queensland LNP Senators has called for the Federal Government to commission an independent audit.
Communication Workers Union National Assistant Secretary, Martin O'Nea, met with Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen, this week about the issue and recent Senate recommendations from the inquiry into Australia Post.
Mr. O'Nea said Australia Post was profitable but being taken in the wrong direction. He said it was not consulting in any meaningful form, with stakeholders.
If mail processing frequency was reduced it would allow Australia Post to downgrade and potentially shut down regional mail centres, he said.
Mr. Christensen said the term rationalisation always set off alarm bells and he had concerns about Mackay Mail Centre.
"I hope we can head off anything if there is any proposal to cut back services in this region," he said.
“We make no apologies for publicising this issue,” said Mr. O’Nea. “Mail services and jobs are very important, especially in regional and rural areas where Post fulfils a social service as well as a commercial one and fewer jobs are available,” he said.
