Comments on: Whistlin’ GST: Australian Retailers Trot Out the Same Old Tune

By: robert

robert — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 13:56:39 +0000

There was an article a while back where Australia Post said that it was bound by an international treaty on what it received from overseas postal services to deliver items within Australia and that it was too little and they were going back to whoever administers the treaty to put forward a case to increase payment. The other point was made that it was becoming more of a burden as more and more parcels arrive from overseas.
From memory it was stated that Australia Post receives less than $2 per item for small parcels (the $6.60 range James mentions above). If that is correct then it is yet again another case of local retailers and taxpayers funding overseas retailers.

And Robert, it is very convenient to say “no idea on what the difference would be’ so as not to let the facts get in the way of being able to knock Australian retailers. You’re a journalist (supposedly), so ask the question and you might even find a story worth reporting on, even if it doesn’t suit this publications obvious bias against local bricks and mortar retailers.

By: Chris Morley

Chris Morley — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 05:58:13 +0000

Hi James – no idea on what the difference would be – and I imagine that like many businesses Aus Post have products and services that have different profit margins in them. With such a large country to cover – deliveries to destinations far far away maybe subsidised more by local deliverers. Australian eCommerce would certainly benefit for more specific logistics services, and increased competition.

By: james

james — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 07:37:24 +0000

It may not be the GST but I would like to know how much Australia Post receives from foreign postal services for delivering small parcels within Australia? I would bet it is a lot less than the $6.60 and up it charges local businesses, which means local businesses are subsidising the delivery costs of their overseas competitors.