Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Australia Post is a vital service that regional Australians rely on, and I condemn the government for their proposed changes and the harsh impact it will have on services and local jobs in my electorate. The government's plans to change Australia Post regulations will mean cuts to mail delivery services and local jobs, and it's the regions that'll be hit the hardest. Under the government's plan, mail delivery across the New South Wales North Coast will blow out now to seven full business days—seven days! The fact is: regional communities like mine are already waiting longer for their mail than those in the cities, and these changes will push those wait times out even further. These changes will affect everyone who relies on Australia Post, but it will particularly affect the elderly in my electorate. They will be the most disadvantaged by these cuts to mail delivery services.

Many seniors are not on the internet and they rely so much on the mail for their letters and cards and their bills, and now, because of this government, they will be waiting even longer for important correspondence. The fact is: mail is often a lifeline for our seniors. And, at a time of economic downturns across regional Australia, this government is now slashing jobs and cutting services.

In the regions, we blame the National Party; they support these harsh changes. But Labor will continue to fight this government's proposed changes to Australia Post regulations. We will fight them every step of the way. Labor will fight for regional Australia, unlike the National Party.