Australia Post is progressively rolling out changes to mail delivery during the coronavirus pandemic, with letters temporarily being delivered every second business day.
The changes are allowing Australia Post to retrain some of their posties to help deliver the significantly increased numbers of parcels during COVID-19.
Federal NSW Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie is disappointed at Labor members Pat Conroy and Sharon Claydon for spreading misinformation regarding temporary changes to Australia Post mail services.
Federal NSW Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said parcel volumes had skyrocketed as customers – and the Australian businesses they buy from – adopt home delivery in huge numbers. Meanwhile, letter volumes had continued to decline, accelerated by the global pandemic.
“Australia Post, like many businesses, is adapting during the coronavirus pandemic to changing demands,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Express Post items will continue to be delivered every working day, and post office boxes will still receive deliveries five days a week.”
Australia Post’s own data shows that on average, households currently receive one letter every second day.
Pandemic politicking
However, some Labor MPs in Dr Gillespie’s area were using the temporary changes as an excuse to launch a ‘Mediscare’-style campaign, peddling misinformation regarding the changes.
“For Labor members to claim the government is destroying this essential institution or using COVID-19 to cut services is disgusting,” Dr Gillespie said.
“Many local residents have expressed frustration that parcel delivery times have blown out, many families in lockdown will be pleased that their parcels will soon be delivered quicker.”
The temporary regulatory changes announced by the federal government are effective until June 30, 2021.
