Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 14 March 2012:

(1) Given that Messenger Post has previously advised its customers that it will raise rates due to fuel costs, has any such increase ever been passed on to Messenger Post's contractors in the form of an increase in their contract fee.

(2) What is the standard length of contract offered to Messenger Post contractors.

(3) Has the Western Australia division of Messenger Post been without a Regional Manager for the past 12 months; if so: (a) has anyone been appointed to this position on a temporary basis; and (b) why has this position been vacant for so long.

(4) What scope does a new contractor have to negotiate the terms of their contract when in preliminary discussions with Messenger Post.

(5) How does Messenger Post allocate 'ad hoc' work to its contractors.

(6) What undertakings does Messenger Post give to incoming contractors based on anticipated workloads, and are any written estimates of work given to contractors.

(7) Has Messenger Post received any complaints from its contractors that the amount of available work has been misrepresented.

(8) What provision is there in a standard Messenger Post contract to allow for increases in operating costs (other than fuel costs).

(9) What is the cause of the recently high turnover of contractors observed in the Western Australia division of Messenger Post.