FTA ADVOCACY - THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA POSTS SERVICE DELIVERY

As the secretariat to the E-Commerce Reference Group (ECRG), comprising major marketplaces Alibaba, e-Bay and Amazon, Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) responded to a letter from Paul Fletcher MP (Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) with formal correspondence largely aligned to our earlier submission to the Senate Inquiry The Future of Australia Post's Service Delivery,

FTA acknowledges 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 that has been 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.

FTA 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