The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has welcomed Australia Post’s decision to continue to deliver perishable foods and goods around the country.
Australia Post had announced it intended ending the delivery service on 30 June due to the complex food safety and regulatory requirements in the different States and Territories.
The Ombudsman, Bruce Billson said Australia Post’s decision not to end the delivery service would bring “joyful relief” to small business food producers.
“It was not right to unilaterally declare an end to vital delivery services to the detriment of these small businesses and the customers who depend on them,” Mr Billson said.
“Australia Post is doing the right thing for its small business customers by reversing this decision,” he said.
“Now is the time to be working together to identify what the problems are and to find solutions to make a pathway forward.”
Mr Billson said he looked forward to working closely with Australia Post, and all relevant stakeholders, to ensure small businesses could continue to use the essential delivery services.
“Let’s roll up our sleeves so that we can achieve a much better outcome for e-commerce powered small businesses who rely on Australia Post to fulfil their orders,” he said.
Acting Group Chief Executive and Managing Director of Australia Post, Rodney Boys said an industry working forum, to be co-chaired by Mr Billson, had been formed to resolve the cross-State regulatory issues.
“Through this new forum, we will better understand what our customer capabilities and needs are and work hand-in-hand with regulators to determine where changes may be required,” Mr Boys said.
He said the forum would have representatives from industry bodies, the small business sector and producers to find possible solutions to the complex regulatory requirements for moving perishable goods through the delivery network.
As part of his work on the forum, the Small Business Commissioner is to collaborate closely with his State-based counterparts to ensure their perspective and regulatory insights are part of the problem-solving approach.
