About POAAL
The Post Office Agents Association Limited (POAAL) is the independent and experienced industry membership organisation which protects, preserves and promotes the business interests of its members. The Post Office Agents Association Limited is a company limited by guarantee.
Members of POAAL are Licensees (the owner/operators of Licensed Post Offices) and Mail Contractors. Sub-contractors and Couriers may apply for Associate Membership.
POAAL National Office
POAAL's National Office is located in Melbourne. All administrative and membership matters are handled by the friendly and helpful staff at the National Office. All correspondence and general enquiries should be directed to the National Office.
Specific operational enquiries by Licensees and Mail Contractors should be directed to their relevant State and Territory contacts (refer contact lists for financial members of POAAL on inside front and inside back cover of Postal News.)
POAAL State Branches
Each State has its own State Branch and Committee. Branch and Area meetings are held from time to time and members are advised in advance by email and notice. Teleconference meetings are also held for members in isolated areas.
Each State Chairman is a member of the National Board, forming a conduit between Branch activities and information and the Board.
Committee members work in a voluntary capacity, bringing dedication and commitment to their work of assisting their colleagues. A list of contacts in each State and Territory for Licensees and Mail Contractors appears in the member only journal Postal News.
History
POAAL was formed as the Non-Official Postmasters Association in 1939 when owner/operators of post offices realised that they needed the protection, support and collective strength of an association to effectively look after their business interests. This is of particular importance for those who operate small post offices or post offices in remote or isolated country areas.
POAAL negotiated the LPO Agreement with Australia Post. This replaced the Post Office Agency arrangements, and came into operation in 1993. It resulted from detailed and intensive negotiations between POAAL and AP, and helped bring the retail sector of the Australian postal industry into modern business practices. The LPO Agreement contains a Dispute Resolution Process which was proposed and negotiated by POAAL and which assists in low-cost and early resolution of disputes between Licensees and Australia Post. This is particularly useful when the dispute is of a minor nature. As small business people, Licensees do not have the resources or funds for lengthy and costly dispute resolution processes. Because Licensees are also classified as franchisees, they also have access to the dispute resolution procedure specified under the Franchising Code of Conduct.
Lobbying and Submissions
POAAL regularly briefs Government Ministers and Departments as well as other Members of Parliament and Senators on the role of Licensed Post Offices and Mail Contractors within the postal network. POAAL reminds Government and Opposition that Licensees and Contractors are small business people who provide employment to large numbers of people and who serve their communities with pride and commitment.
POAAL makes submissions and appears before Inquiries on matters which are relevant to its membership. Some examples include the Inquiry into Banking and Financial Services in Rural and Remote Australia; the Postal Legislation Amendment Bill; the Senate Inquiries on WTO GATS and the AUSFTA; the Designation of EFTPOS and ATM systems as Payment Systems; the Price Notification for Impact Mail; the Australian Payments Clearing Association’s application in relation to the Consumer Electronic Clearing System.
POAAL frequently answers queries from members of parliament and the media.