An independent industry committee will keep tabs on the post monopoly's controversial price hikes for stamps and bulk mail following a Senate recommendation. Despite being established by Australia Post the head of the new forum says the new body will be independent.
“I commend Australia Post for establishing a consultative forum that will be independently chaired,” said former federal Victorian senator Helen Kroger, who has been named chair. “I have been invited as an independent to chair the group and will provide independent oversight. I have no recommendations regarding outcomes. That fact that it will be largely a public forum to thrash out the issues involved is pretty significant.”
The move to set up the new group follows a senate inquiry that recommended the establishment of a formal working group of industry stakeholders. Kroger recently headed a review of the Australia Post's licensed post office network.
“I am aware of the depth of feeling in the industry against some of the proposed changes but until now I have not sat down and talked with those parties about the issues in depth,” said Kroger. “This will be an opportunity for all stakeholders to provide input to Australia Post. It will be a diverse group that will include representatives from the printing industry, unions, the marketing sector, mail houses, small business, aged care groups and others. It’s a significant step, a huge step by Australia Post, to set up an independent process like this.”
Printing Industries welcomed the move. “We’re particularly pleased to see Helen Kroger appointed as an independent chair of the committee,” said Bill Healey, CEO, Printing Industries. “The industry is facing substantial change and it’s crucial that all the key players are part of the discussion. But it’s very important that this is not just a one-off. We see it as a standing committee that will play a major role in mapping out a structural adjustment plan that responds to the needs of all stakeholders.”
In a press release announcing the move, the national carrier said: Australia Post will establish a new industry working group to support the implementation of letters regulatory reform and consider other strategic issues facing the postal sector. This follows the Senate Inquiry into the Licensed Post Office network, which recommended the establishment of a formal working group of industry stakeholders.
The group, to be chaired by former Victorian Senator Helen Kroger, will include representatives from the printing industry, mailhouses, Licensed Post Office network and employee unions. Other participants may be included as required. Australia Post is committed to a thoroughly consultative approach to letters reform and the first working group session will be held before Monday 12 October.
Printing Industries continued its campaign against the price hikes with meetings of its members in Sydney and Melbourne last week. The association is preparing a submission to the ACCC in response to Australia Post’s application to raise prices in January.
“We’re very concerned about the economic impact of a 42% across the board increase,” said Healey.