Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Reynolds, the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts. On Monday the minister said in relation to mail speed standards, 'There have been no changes, no changes, no changes, no changes.' I refer to the media release issued by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts on 21 April 2020, which said the following:

… required delivery time for regular intrastate letters will be extended to five days after the day of posting …

Who is right—the minister or the media release?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand by my statement in this chamber earlier.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a supplementary question?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That means 'no changes, no changes, no changes'. Last night, Senator Hanson said of Australia Post workers:

There will be no redundancies offered to these workers …

Can the minister guarantee there will be no reduction in Australia Post's workforce?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I believe I said previously in this chamber, there will be no forced redundancies of their posties, and that remains correct.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a final supplementary question?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's been reported that Australia Post has hired James Hardie's former spin doctor. Why does the government need expensive PR advice when it's clearly capable of running misleading arguments without assistance?

Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would remind the senator that Australia Post's day-to-day operations are the responsibility of its board and management and not of government.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.