Australia Post’s importance to rural communities

A new report on Australia Post suggests it supports 10,800 jobs and a $10.6 billion e-commerce market through its delivery and post office networks. It is also increasingly important to regional, rural and remote Australia.

Australia Post CEO and Managing Director Christine Holgate, said the report reinforces how critical Australia Post is to areas that other service providers cannot reach. “The most important aspiration in regional communities is to have access to services, such as education, health and government,” Ms Holgate said. “And regional Australians see Australia Post as the most present service provider in their community, ahead of schools, cafes, pubs and grocery stores. After the local doctor and police, Australia Post is also the most trusted service provider in regional communities.

“We’ve seen this come to life in towns affected by bushfires lately.  Post offices have become community hubs for information, shelter and basic services.  We even heard of firefighting crews battling hard to save the local post office, because they knew the importance of the post office to the community during and after disaster.”

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said: “The Deloitte Access Economics report underscores Australia Post’s unique place in this country and reinforces the social and economic benefits post office networks provide.

“While the digital age is advancing at a rapid rate, the postal service continues to have a very important function, including in regional and remote Australia. Our strong postal network contributes to equity of access and a sense of community.

“This report highlights the important role that Australia Post has in our community.”

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