It’s hard enough to get fast postal service on the North Coast without having to deal with the proposed new service regulations.
Local MP Justine Elliot has condemned the Morrison Government for changes to Australia Post’s service standards, which mean cuts to local mail delivery services and cuts to local jobs.
‘The North Coast is set to be hardest hit by new Liberal-National Government regulations which means that mail delivery will now blow out to seven business days.
‘Regional communities like ours across the North Coast already wait longer than those in the cities for their mail, and changes recently announced by the Government will push those wait times out even further.’
Morrison Government voted eight times to slash deliveries
The Morrison Government voted eight times over two days to slash Australia Post deliveries.
Yesterday Labor Leader Anthony Albanese moved to disallow the Prime Minister’s regulations which cut the frequency of postie delivery rounds, extend mail delivery times for millions of Australians and put the jobs of up to one in four posties and many others at risk.
Many Australians, including isolated, vulnerable and older Australians and those living in regional areas, rely on regular postal services.
Labor says the Prime Minister’s regulations rip away Australia Post services from Australians who need them most. They say he has used the coronavirus pandemic as cover for an attack on essential services and frontline workers.
Labor say they consider the parcels boom an opportunity to preserve and create jobs — not cut them.
The changes will affect everyone who relies on Australia Post
Justine Elliot said these changes will affect everyone who relies on Australia Post. It will particularly affect the elderly in our region, who will be most disadvantaged by these cuts to mail delivery services.
‘Many seniors are not on the internet and they instead rely on the mail for their letters, cards and bills and now, due to Government cuts, they’ll be waiting longer for important correspondence. The fact is the mail is often a lifeline for our seniors.
‘People in our regional and rural communities still rely on the postal service more than many other types of services. Australia Post service standards are fundamental and for the benefit of all Australians.
‘Under the Morrison Government’s plan, mail delivery across the North Coast will blow out from three business days to seven full days. These changes will slash the frequency of postie delivery rounds and put the jobs of up to one in four posties at risk.
‘At a time of economic downturns across regional Australia, this Government is now slashing jobs and services.
‘Labor will continue to fight this Government’s proposed changes to Australia Post regulations every step of the way – we will fight for regional Australia, unlike the Liberals and Nationals,’ she said.
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