Aus Post

Performance, importance and role of Australia Post in Australian communities and its operations in relation to licensed post offices Submission 8

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO

GPO Box 1777 MELBOURNE VIC 3001 111 BOURKE STREET MELBOURNE VICTORIA 3000 www.auspost.com.au

26 November 2013

Ms Christine McDonald Secretary, Standing Committee on Environment and Communications PO Box 6100 Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Ms McDonald Please find attached Australia Post’s submission to the Standing Committee on Environment and Communications’ inquiry into the performance of Australia Post and our Licensed Post Offices (LPOs). We welcome this opportunity to clearly explain the dramatic shift that is occurring across all of our core markets as our customers increasingly use digital technology to communicate, shop, make payments and access services. Given these shifts in our core markets, we are transforming our business to ensure that Australia Post remains a valued provider of trusted services in the Digital Economy. As we make these strategic changes to our business, we are very mindful of supporting our valued business partners (especially LPOs) and insulating them from the impact of digital disruption, so that they can maintain their vital role in communities across Australia. Our submission contains detailed information on the Licensee Agreement, LPO payments, consultative arrangements, dispute resolution procedures and other support provided by Australia Post to licensees. We are confident that the LPO business model is robust, fair and viable.

Performance, importance and role of Australia Post in Australian communities and its operations in relation to licensed post offices Submission 8

2 However, we also acknowledge that recent accelerated decline in the Australian community’s use of the letters service poses additional risk to the long-term sustainability of Australia Post and our business partners. Therefore, the attached Submission outlines a...