THE federal government has intervened in an Australia Post decision to cease carrying perishable foods next month, providing a reprieve to Tasmanian producers relying on the service.Tasmanian Liberal Senator and Assistant Industry Development Minister Jonno Duniam said the government had secured an extension of the service until June 30.“This is a win for Tasmanian producers, their workers, and the many customers across the nation who love to eat the best produce in the world,” Senator Duniam said.“We will continue to work with industry and producers during this time to guarantee they can continue to get their produce to the growing number of Australians who want it.”
EARLIER, 5.30pm:
The bid to help Tasmanian producers hold onto their increasingly important Aus Post delivery methods is not over, Industry Development Assistant Minister Jonno Duniam says. The decision from Aus Post to discontinue the carriage of perishable foods from March 31 has left some local businesses like Ashgrove and Bruny Island Cheese Co. in the lurch.Mr Duniam said there had “never been a more important time to ensure producers can meet demand, get products to market and keep Tasmanians in jobs”.
“I have spoken with Tasmanian producers to understand their situation, and am actively working to ensure all options are explored by Australia Post,” he said.“Tasmanian producers like Nick Haddow and Anne Bennett have worked hard to establish a loyal customer base across the country, and this needs to be encouraged and supported.”
EARLIER:
A SOON to end nationwide Australia Post service has left some of Tasmania’s most loved foodie businesses wondering how they will send their perishable products to customers.An Aus Post spokesman said “significant regulatory requirements differing across states and territories” have forced the courier to cease a service used by local businesses.“Australia Post will discontinue the carriage of perishable foods across the delivery network from March 31 2021 for a small number of e-commerce customers,” the spokesman said.“The carriage of perishable food requirements differ by state and include complex requirements on site and vehicle registration, licence maintenance and audit requirements.“We continue to work with our customers to determine alternate products and suppliers.”
Ashgrove Tasmanian Farm Cheese and Bruny Island Cheese Co are just some Tasmanian businesses who use the StarTrack courier service run by Aus Post.Ashgrove digital manager Anne Bennett said customers buying online direct from the farm had increased dramatically since COVID-19, describing online sales as the “future of shopping”.Ms Bennett said 60 per cent of Ashgrove’s online sales comprised of perishable goods, making guaranteed 24 hour delivery “essential”.“Perishables require express delivery from door to door,” Ms Bennett said.
“Our understanding is there are other freight companies, however they don’t currently offer express or guaranteed overnight service.”Ms Bennett said ending the Aus Post food service would mean “less Ashgrove products in homes across Tasmania and less Tasmanian branded products across the country”.“The vibrancy of Tasmania is its mix of small owner operators or family run businesses and to remove that direct market across the country will have a big affect on Tasmania and on those small businesses.”
The digital manager said she understood Aus Post had contacted other Tasmanian businesses last Friday, but Ashgrove had not yet received notification.Bruny Island Cheese Co founder Nick Haddow said the announcement felt like “the trapdoor has fallen out from underneath us”.“The choices of freight provider are very limited in Tasmania so when the largest one pulls out it leaves those customers extremely exposed,” he said.Mr Haddow said other freight services seemed “a lot more expensive, not as far reaching and possibly much slower” than Aus Post.
“We’re working through possible solutions, however the time frame for withdrawal outlined by StarTrack and Australia Post certainly doesn’t support an affective changeover and we would call on StarTrack to defer that decision for a minimum of six months,” he said.Mr Haddow said he had received a recent call from Aus Post but was still waiting to receive a written notification of their decision.
