The Federal Government recently called for submissions for discussion on the modernisation of Australia Post and Sendle has called for the opening up of Australia Post’s key assets and network.
Using Australia Post’s taxpayer-funded infrastructure more efficiently has got to be good for everyone, according to Sendle CEO, James Chin Moody.
“We started Sendle back in 2014 with a mission to help small businesses thrive by making parcel delivery three things it typically wasn’t – simple, reliable and affordable. That means innovating by tapping into existing infrastructure and optimising underutilised resources to deliver a more affordable and efficient delivery solution for small business across Australia that’s 100% carbon neutral,” he said.
When Australia Post called for submissions to help inform their strategy, Sendle took the opportunity seriously and recommended they open up their infrastructure, so the rest of the private sector can drive innovation and competition for the benefit of both consumers and businesses.
“It’s already happened with the airline industry and telecommunications (most recently with the NBN), and now it’s time it happened in the delivery business. Specifically, we recommended that they open up in three ways,” Chin Moody said.
Open up PO boxes
Core to Sendle’s submission is a recommendation to open up Australia Post’s PO box network. “This expansive network is key for consumers across Australia, but particularly those within regional and remote areas,” he said.
Open up its national delivery infrastructure
“We believe that opening up Australia Post as a utility through public-private partnerships could lead to significant benefits for consumers and small businesses, as well as help modernise Australia Post and keep it competitive,” Chin Moody said.
Open up via worksharing with third parties
Worksharing unbundles the postal value chain, giving third-party partners the ability to perform certain functions of the postal service and access to its delivery network in exchange for reduced rates. “The US Postal Service made this move more than 40 years ago and it works brilliantly,” he said.
“We’re excited by the possibility of Australia Post opening up so that we can tap into their publicly funded infrastructure on a fair and competitive basis. Here’s to a future where we can deliver even better outcomes for our customers, and Australia Post too.”
Read Sendle’s submission on modernising Australia Post here.