Welfare groups up in arms over suggestions Australia Post could charge extra for daily deliveries
发布时间 22 January 2014, 7:48 AEST
Caroline Winter
Welfare and business groups say any move by Australia Post to charge a fee for mail delivery would disadvantage low-income earners and regional areas.
In its annual online survey, Australia Post asked customers if they would prefer to have their post delivered three times a week, or pay an annual $30 fee for daily delivery.
South Australia's Council of Social Service says many people simply cannot afford another expense.
"This is a really important, vital service particularly for people on low incomes who are already having a really hard time with cost of living pressures," spokesman Ross Wommersley said.
"They rely on Australia Post being able to deliver not just their bills but also a whole lot of other things that help them piece their lives together.
"Adding an additional price to that could in fact be really debilitating."
Mr Wommersley said any fee would be an "appalling impost" for people relying on welfare payments, such as Newstart.
The NSW Business Chamber said the introduction of either a fee or periodic delivery would burden business.
"If it did come to fruition… it would certainly ground a lot of commercial progress, not so much to a halt, but it would slow it down," said spokesman Damian Kelly.
"Particularly regional Australia, and regional New South Wales where I'm from, it would have a dramatic impact on a number of businesses that rely on postage and postage services."