Federal government launches probe into future of Australia Post
Communications Minister Anika Wells says a parliamentary inquiry will examine whether Australia Post is keeping pace with Australians' needs for the future.
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Is Labor trying to woo One Nation's David Farley?
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Labor has denied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is trying to woo One Nation MP David Farley by offering him an extra staff member.
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson yesterday criticised the offer as an attempt by the government to "exert undue political influence" and split her party.
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Farley received a letter from Albanese this week authorising him to hire an additional staffer on a $200,000 salary package, an "unsolicited" offer the Farrer MP has rejected.
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Appearing on Channel 7, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth denied the offer was an attempt to lure Farley over to Labor.
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"Quite frankly, I think Pauline is jumping at shadows.
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If she's already having trouble keeping her party together, well that says something about her," she says.
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"Just to be clear, lower house members wouldn't be doing their job if they were not meeting with ministers and meeting with the prime minister.
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Trade minister delivers 'hard truths' to farming industry
Trade Minister Don Farrell delivered some blunt hard truths to the National Farmers Federation last night, arguing an Australia-EU free trade agreement is vital to the nation's economic prosperity and could generate $10 billion in additional trade in its first year.
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"In a world of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, when protectionism and tariffs are barriers to growth, we cannot afford to close ourselves to the world," Farrell said.
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He told farmers that despite calls from the Coalition, the deal was as good as it was going to get and was not open to renegotiation.
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Protests in France, far right governments in Germany, protestors occupying the Colosseum in Italy," he said.
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"There is no way [Nationals leader] Matt Canavan can get a better deal".
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Farrell acknowledged that beef and lamb industries wanted more out of the deal but said he had to represent all Australian industries, 95% of which say they support the agreement.
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"I cannot in good conscience say that just because one sector didn't get everything they wanted, the entire economy gets nothing," he said.
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Parliamentary probe into future of Australia Post
The Albanese government is launching a parliamentary inquiry in a bid to sure up the long-term viability of Australia Post.
The 217-year-old institution has faced challenges in recent times, with falling foot traffic at some post offices and a drop in letters.
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Last financial year, there were about 1.42 billion letters sent through Australia post — but that was down 14.7 per cent from the year before.
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Communications Minister Anika Wells says changing consumer behaviour and commercial conditions posed significant challenges to the sustainability of Australia Post.
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"That's why I've asked the House committee to explore how we can better support a sustainable and accessible postal service that delivers for all Australians," she said.
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An Australia Post spokesperson said it looked forward to engaging constructively in the inquiry.
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"For several years, we have highlighted the growing challenges facing Australia Post, which are shared by postal organisations around the world," they said.
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"We welcome the government's action to address these challenges and support our long-term sustainability.
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The inquiry is due to report back by the middle of next year.
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It's been a heck of a week — but we've made it to Friday.
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I'm Holly Tregenza, joining you live from Parliament House in Canberra, here and ready to bring you all of today's federal politics news.
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