etravelblackboard is reporting that (former government owned) Qantas owned Jetstar airlines and Government owned Australia Post are seeking to gain approval for Australia Post to sell Jetstar tickets.
While this story does not directly relate to newsagents it demonstrates the development of Australia Post well beyond the brief it was created to serve. When will the government realise how conflicted they in owning this retail and commercial giant? How many small businesses have to suffer before the government reins in Australia Post and directs management to re-read the Act?
I appreciate that many newsagents run Licenced Post Offices. I have no quarrel with them. My quarrel is with the 863 government owned retail outlets.
Here are the opening paragraphs of the story at etravelblackboard:
AFTA has revealed Australia Post has requested to be exempt from licensing regimes in Australia, including TCF membership, to allow the sale of Jetstar domestic tickets from its corporate outlets (Post Offices) and licensed post offices (Post Shops) and has urged travel agents across Australia to take action against the proposal immediately.
A letter sent to AFTA by the Department of Justice (Consumer Affairs) in Victoria acting on behalf of the Standing Committee of Consumer Affairs (SCOCA) advised the request from Australia Post for the proposed arrangement with Jetstar, and subsequently SCOCA is now investigating whether an exemption was consistent with national competition policy and the objectives of the present regulatory regime.
Australia Post in conjunction with Jetstar has proposed a service for booking and payment in real time, and if any exemption is granted, it would also be open to travel agents selling on the same basis. It is also further envisaged that any exemptions offered would also be extended to other airlines where the same arrangements are in place according to AFTA.