POST OFFICE ISSUES

For the past twelve years, I have regularly sent express postbags and parcels to family members running a vital business in Nhulunbuy. On most occasions, bags posted at the Karama LPO by 5.00 pm on any day, Monday to Thursday, are received through Winnellie and delivered by Air North, the mail carrier, to Nhulunbuy LPO the next day.

There have been several glitches in this methodology, and all of them are frustrating and, indeed, alarming.

I will stick to the current dilemma.

I posted by express a 7kg printer urgently needed by the Nhulunbuy business at Karama on April 4 at 4.32 pm. It was processed by the Winellie processing facility the same evening, Thursday, April 4, at 6.17 pm. It was notified as being delivered on/by Tuesday 9 April. It is now (Friday, April 12) noted as being ‘delayed’ – waiting to be processed for delivery (whatever that means).

I attach the details of postage and insurance costs:

(Note how Australia Post uses the cubing rule that charges on box dimensions and not weight).

I am totally frustrated by this episode. A postage bag sent at a later date has arrived in Nhulunbuy. Given the cost of postage and the designation of priority status on this item, along with this being the third item (costing plenty) subject to delay, I am fed up.

Australia Post treats inquiries almost glibly. “Give it a fortnight,” they say.

Sorry – that is not good enough.

Henry Gray

April 12 2024