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 27 June 2012:

With reference to the Australia Post franchise in Coorparoo, Brisbane:

(1) Did the Coorparoo franchise close in 2011; if so: (a) what were the circumstances surrounding the closure; (b) did Australia Post relocate and re-establish the franchised PostShop; and (c) if there is a new, relocated site, how far is it from the original location.

(2) During two meetings, did the franchise management team in Queensland advise that Australia Post had decided to close the franchise due to the unavailability of suitable premises.

(3)At the second meeting, did the state franchise coordinator say that the decision to close the post office had been made by management in Melbourne, and that they had determined that the franchise model was no longer appropriate for the Coorparoo area.

(4) Can copies of any minutes or correspondence relating to the above meetings be provided.

(5) Was the franchisee advised that Australia Post had determined to operate a fixed term Licensed Post Office in the area.

(6)Can a detailed explanation be provided of what transpired in relation to postal services in Coorparoo.

(7)In what business format is the Coorparoo post office currently operating and, if this differs from the previous format, what was the reasoning behind the change.

(8) Was any definitive analysis undertaken by Australia Post of issues such as pedestrian traffic flow, accessibility, and any other pertinent matters relevant to the site, in relation to the current Coorparoo site prior to the relocation; if so, can the analysis be provided.

(9) Was this information shared with the franchisee; if so, when and what specific information was provided.

(10) Did Australia Post consult with the Coorparoo community in regard to this closure and subsequent relocation; if so, with whom and when did the consultation occur.

(11) Did the franchisee make numerous requests for documentation, which may have assisted them in making a decision about relocations, and was Australia Post in a position to supply such documents.

(12) Does Australia Post usually expect agreements to be entered into without availing the other party or parties an opportunity to view the contract.

(13) On what basis did Australia Post include in the Termination Notice for the particular franchise a clause whereby acceptance of the exit payment indemnified Australia Post from any further legal action, which may be open to this franchisee; and is this: (a) usual practice; and (b) mandated across all franchises in similar positions.

(14) Can a copy of the Termination Notice be provided.

(15) With reference to the document titled 'A PostShop Franchise: Your Key to Business Success', in particular p. 14 under the heading Franchise Advisory Council, which sets out the intentions of Australia Post, and given that this was supplied to the Coorparoo franchisee in the early stages of their expressions of interest in this model: (a) in what forum was the Coorparoo franchisee able to raise issues surrounding the closure of the Coorparoo franchise; and (b) given that the establishment of such a Council was indicated during the sale process, why has the Council not been established.

(16) Have any explanations and apologies been provided to the individuals who may have been induced, in part or in whole, to enter the franchise agreement based on this representation.

(17) Did any senior managers of Australia Post receive any correspondence from franchisees in Queensland raising concerns over the Coorparoo franchise situation and the action that was taken.

(18) Did Australia Post receive any ministerial direction regarding its franchise businesses; if so, what was the direction and when was it received.