THE SENATE

STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS
Legislation Committee

MEDIA RELEASE

Inquiry into the performance, importance and role of Australia Post in Australian communities and
its operations in relation to licensed post offices

Extension of time to report

Today, the Senate Communications and Environment Legislation Committee received an extension to
report on its inquiry into the performance, importance and role of Australia Post in Australian
communities and its operations in relation to licensed post offices. The committee will now report
on 27 August 2014.

The Chair of the committee, Senator John Williams, indicated that the committee has so far held
four public hearings and received 170 submissions from stakeholders including Australia Post, the
Departments of Finance and Communications, post office licensees and other interested parties In
addition, some 850 form letters from post office licensees have been received. Submissions are
still being accepted.

Senator Williams added that the evidence received so far has provided the committee with a great
deal of information about the Australia Post network, including Licensed Post Offices, and the
issues being faced at the present time.

Given the importance of the post network to the business sector and the community as a whole and
the complexity of the matters being considered by the committee, Senator Williams stated that the
committee was seeking further time to conclude its inquiry.