Regional post offices must be at the centre of a new House of Representatives inquiry into Australia Post, Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey says, as licensees across his electorate worry about their long-term future.
Mr Chaffey said the new Labor-controlled inquiry was on top of a Senate inquiry the Coalition had demanded into Australia Post’s retail network, after serious questions were raised about the public corporation’s plan for Licensed Post Offices (LPOs).
Shadow Minister for Regional Communications Dr Anne Webster has also said the House of Representatives inquiry must put the future of staffed post offices in regional Australia front and centre.
“Post offices play a critical role in regional areas such as the electorate of Parkes,” Mr Chaffey said.
“They are not only the place to post a letter or a parcel, but they are where people do their banking, pay their bills, access government services and stay connected with the outside world.”
“Their importance goes beyond the simple commercial transaction of mail.”
Mr Chaffey said he had been hearing from post office operators across the electorate.
“I have heard from the licensees of post offices across the electorate who are concerned about the long-term viability of regional and remote post offices,” he said.
“It is very important that rural and regional post offices remain.”
There are 2,700 licensed post offices across the country, and Mr Chaffey said the Nationals had fought for a guarantee that at least 2,500 would remain.
“Yes, Australia Post’s future needs a full and frank review, but regional and remote services must remain,” he said.
“Both the Senate and the House of Representatives inquiries must keep this in mind.”
Mr Chaffey said regional communities had waited long enough for certainty.
“I look forward to a strong future for regional and remote post offices and their licensees, and for all the regional people who use them,” he said.
“Regional Australians have been let down for so long by the closure of essential services, and have been neglected by this Labor Government.”
“It is time for them to have some certainty.”
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