FTA / ECRG ADVOCACY - THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA POST SERVICE DELIVERY

Wednesday, September 2, 2020
As the secretariat to the E-Commerce Reference Group (ECRG), comprising major marketplaces Alibaba, e-Bay and Amazon, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) made a formal submission to the Senate Inquiry The Future of Australia Post's Service Delivery - refer HERE. 

The ECRG acknowledged that the future of Australia Post's service delivery is critical in terms of impacts on its workforce, businesses customers and support to the Australian community and sees merit in the Federal Government change made in April 2020 (to be reviewed in June 2021) allowing Australia Post to focus on parcel deliveries.

In a time of extreme need, this approach is seen as a pragmatic solution and an appropriate policy outcome. The need for an extended arrangement is highlighted by the COVID-19 Stage 4 Restrictions currently being experienced in Victoria and must be maintained.

In the event of future shutdowns, an efficient parcel delivery service will be crucial to maintaining retail business, delivery of essential goods, and to the extent possible, a normal way of life.

Committee's Response

The Environment and Communications Legislation Committee put forward their position (with a dissenting report by Labor senators and the Australian Greens) outlining three recommendations relating to 1) training - accountability and privilege of Australia Post (and extended to other Australian Government entities); 2) support for the MoU between Australia Post and union; and 3) extension on public consultation for the future of Australia posts service delivery.

In reaching its findings, the committee noted: 

2.107: Online retail platform, eBay Australia & New Zealand, submitted that recent border closures and lockdowns resulting from the 'second wave' of infections in Victoria provide 'further evidence of the critical need for' the regulations: The shift to online demands our postal service be able to operate flexibly and respond to the rapid changes brought about by COVID 19 by re-focusing on parcel services. Both business and consumer expectations on delivery of goods is clear. Delivery needs to be fast, affordable, safe and trackable from point-to-point.
 
3.57: Alongside large retailers, and the National Retail Association, freight and transport organisations highlighted Australia Post's role as a key pillar in Australian e-commerce during COVID and beyond. The Freight & Trade Alliance's E-Commerce Reference Group proposed that, going forward, Australia Post could play a role in educating small and medium businesses 'to understand freight and logistics when exporting in addition to the services and education provided by marketplaces and industry'.FTA / ECRG will continue engagement with the Federal Government, Senators and key industry stakeholders and will keep members up to date on pertinent developments.

Paul Zalai -  Director and Co-Founder, FTA / Secretariat, APSA