Private couriers’ bid to carve up Australia Post network a disgrace
Calls to force Australia Post to open its regional network to private courier companies are a disgraceful attempt to carve up a valuable public asset and threaten the national postal service Australians rely on, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) says.
The warning follows calls from former Australia Post Chief Executive and current Team Global Express CEO Christine Holgate for private courier companies to be granted unrestricted access to Australia Post’s network of licensed post offices and parcel lockers.
CWU National Secretary Shane Murphy said private operators were already free to establish their own regional delivery networks but had chosen not to.
“This is a disingenuous proposal that would undermine the quality, accessible and universally priced postal services Australian communities and businesses rely on,” Mr Murphy said.
“There is nothing stopping Team Global Express or any other courier company from delivering to regional and remote Australia.
“They choose not to because it is difficult and expensive. Instead, they want a publicly owned Government business to maintain the network, while they come in and cherry-pick the profitable parts of the business.
“Australia Post’s integrated network and universal pricing model ensures businesses and consumers can participate in the digital economy regardless of where they live.
“Private couriers want access to the profitable parts of the network without accepting responsibility for the communities that are more expensive to serve. That puts universal service and pricing at risk.”
Mr Murphy said Ms Holgate understood the value of Australia Post’s national network when she led the organisation.
“As Chief Executive, Christine Holgate defended the importance of Australia Post’s integrated network. Today, as head of a private equity owned competitor, she wants access to the very public asset she once championed.
“Australia Post already processes millions of competitor parcels on commercial terms. This proposal is not about access – access is already there. It is about private companies securing a better deal for their shareholders, at the Australian public’s expense.
“Australia Post’s parcel business helps fund the national network and the Community Service Obligations our communities depend on.
“It’s easy to make money when someone else is carrying the cost of serving regional and remote Australia. Australia Post would be more profitable if it could walk away from difficult and expensive delivery routes, but it doesn’t because it has a responsibility to serve every Australian community.
“The Federal Government must reject this proposal and stand up for regional Australia, universal pricing and the national postal network Australians depend on.”
Media contacts: Catalina Casar, 0421 547 759 or Alana Mew, 0419 929 722
