AUSTRALIA Post has reversed its decision to axe the next-day postal guarantee from Launceston to mainland metropolitan areas after five days of lobbying from Northern Tasmanian businesses.
But business groups have labelled it a "half-win" because the guarantee does not extend to next-day delivery to Tasmania.
Businesses rallied after news spread on Monday that Launceston would be dropped off the Express Post network.
More than 780 people signed an online petition calling for the next-day delivery service to be retained, and businesses around Northern Tasmania collected more signatures on a paper petition.
Bass Labor MHR Geoff Lyons announced that the service would be retained after he and federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy met senior management of Australia Post yesterday.
"Australia Post has confirmed the continuation of the next business day guarantee for all outbound Express Post items from Northern Tasmania, including Launceston, to metropolitan centres on the mainland," Mr Lyons said.
Online petition organiser Chris Davis said it was a good outcome for Tasmanian businesses, but said he would keep campaigning until the next- day guarantee for post sent to Northern Tasmania was restored.
"It doesn't help businesses, like mechanics, who rely on Express Post for the urgent delivery of parts or other items that are not available in Tasmania," Mr Davis said.
Senator Conroy said he would continue discussions with Australia Post to restore the next- day guarantee of post into Tasmania.
Launceston Chamber of Commerce acting chief executive Maree Tetlow said the turnaround showed the power of businesses banding together on an issue.
"We want to thank all our members and the business sector for rallying around the need for services that the rest of Australia receive," Ms Tetlow said.
Ms Tetlow said Launceston's place in the Express Post network was particularly important given the push for more e-commerce businesses.