Australia Post Accused of Deliberately Undermining Local Post Offices

Australia Post is facing intense scrutiny following revelations from a leaked internal document that allegedly outlines a strategy to make independent local post offices unprofitable. These claims have surfaced amid a Senate inquiry, where post office owners have voiced concerns that corporate policies are intentionally driving their businesses into the ground.

Senator Sarah Henderson has accused Australia Post of employing "unethical" and "improper tactics" in what she described as an "insidious" mission to close down its network of privately-owned stores. The leaked document reportedly details plans that could lead to the devaluation of these family-run businesses, making them unsellable.

One licensee shared with the Daily Mail that the recent removal of numerous services from post offices has directly impacted their viability. "The withdrawn services were '60 less reasons for somebody to walk into my post office, 60 less things that bring my business value'," the licensee stated, referring to a situation where over 60 services have disappeared from post offices in the last 12 months. The latest service to be withdrawn is Western Union wire transfers, effective from October.

Australia Post's Chief Executive, Paul Graham, was summoned before the inquiry earlier this month. He was previously accused of misleading a budget estimates hearing in May. Graham receives a substantial salary package, reportedly amounting to $3.3 million, making him the Commonwealth's highest-paid CEO or government official.

Australia Post has stated that compensation for such issues is determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the persistent removal of services and the alleged internal strategy have fueled significant concern among post office owners who feel their livelihoods are being deliberately jeopardized.