Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. I again refer the minister to Australia Post’s plans to hit pensioners with new fees for mail redirection services. Can the minister confirm the advice given to concession card holders by Australia Post’s Customer Network and Liaison Manager, Mr Doug Hawkins, that all relevant federal government departments were advised of the decision? Why did the minister fail to stand up for pensioners and veterans when she was informed of Australia Post’s plan? Does the minister think that it is fair that Australia’s pensioners should be hit with fees worth up to $5.7 million to have their mail redirected when Australia Post has just achieved a record profit of $374 million?