Geoff Lyons
BASS LABOR MHR Geoff Lyons has urged Australia Post to make the deadline for posting express mail earlier rather than scrap its next day interstate delivery service from Northern Tasmania.
Mr Lyons said he had spoken to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Australia Post management about the potential compromise, which he said they had agreed to consider.
On Thursday, an Australia Post spokeswoman blamed air freight arrangements for the decision to no longer offer the service in Northern Tasmania from April 8.
The next day delivery guarantee will still apply to mail posted in 22 Hobart postcodes and intrastate mail.
Mr Lyons was adamant the planned change would not go ahead.
``I'm absolutely convinced that they must maintain the service. If they can't do it, tell us the time [for mail to be posted] so they can.''
He said having to post mail by 3pm to get to certain far away destinations such as the Northern Territory the next day was better than no service at all.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Stephen Parry said the removal of the service would be a major problem for businesses sending perishable goods such as cheese, cherries and truffles.
``Those involved in agriculture also rely on the guaranteed next-day service for delivery of blood samples and Artificial Insemination products, to areas across Australia,'' Senator Parry said.
He is seeking a meeting with the state manager of Australia Post.
However, the Post Office Agents Association chief executive officer Ian Kerr said that position was no longer based in Tasmania.
``We believe that this contributes to the lack of understanding of Tasmania's need to be part of the Express Post next-day network.''
He said members were outraged at the decision which will damage their business.
``Our members have reported that Australia Post's announcement has caused considerable customer confusion,'' Mr Kerr said.
The association has written to Mr Conroy urging him to intervene and save the service.
Mr Conroy did not respond to ifThe Examiner's requests for comment.