Media Release – Australia Post, LPOG and APLAC

The LPO Group Limited
PO Box 454
WARILLA NSW 2528
Media Release – Australia Post, LPOG and APLAC deliver increases for LPOs
LPOGroup is pleased to announce that major payment reform, initiated by the Senate
Inquiry for Licensed Post Offices has commenced. LPOGroup, together with APLAC
(Australia Post Licensee Advisory Council), will be working through all payment categories
detailed in a report on LPO activities and costs conducted by PIP (Partners in
Performance). The LPO Forum will move forward to ensure fair and equitable payments
are implemented for Licensees, and strategies are in place to improve the viability of the
LPO (Licensed Post Office) network.
While no formal turnaround study has yet been conducted in line with the second part of
Senate Inquiry Recommendation 17 (8.142 The committee recommends that where a
payment is found to be not fair or reasonable, that a study should be conducted to
determine what an appropriate payment rate should be.) Australia Post should be
commended for taking the initiative to make changes to LPO remuneration now, following
the initial PIP report. This gives the LPO Forum time to work through all payments and
strategies required to ensure LPOs are sustained now and into the future.
Australia Post have indicated that all LPO payment increases announced today are
contingent on mail reform. Therefore, it will be paramount for Licensees that the BPR goes
to $1 and two-speed mail delivery is implemented.
LPOGroup would like to thank, in particular former Senator Ron Boswell and Independent
Senator Nick Xenophon who answered the LPOG call for a Senate Inquiry. The ongoing
commitment by The Senate Committee, chaired by Senator Anne Ruston, includes all
political parties and independents, and has shown great understanding and support for
Licensees. It is obvious that our politicians understand that Post Offices are one of the last
remaining community hubs which play a role far beyond commerce and mail logistics. We
hope that this rare political cooperation will continue in the future so that Australia Post,
and the LPO network, can get back on track and overcome the challenges that the modern
era presents.
LPOGroup’s members have shown great resilience and support for the association over
the last two years. We plan to work closely with Australia Post through the joint LPO
Forum to provide ongoing payment reforms for Licensees in the near future, to help those
who have not benefited by the payment increases announced today.
The Senate Inquiry has ushered in a new era of Australia Post engagement with LPO
Licensees, predominantly through the LPO Forum which brought APLAC, LPOG and
POAAL (Post Office Agents Association Limited) into the same room with Australia Post
for strategic discussions. Therefore it is astounding that POAAL have chosen to withdraw
from the LPO Forum. LPOGroup looks forward to engaging with Australia Post in a
number of strategic business areas with the view to developing mutually beneficial
outcomes. This is a long term commitment by Australia Post and Licensee Representative
Bodies and LPOG intends to be a strong advocate for Licensees best outcomes through
this process.
Angela Cramp
Licensed Post office Group (LPOG)
0414613768
[email protected]