Mrs PHILLIPS (Gilmore) (13:48): In areas like my electorate the local posties are more than just someone who delivers letters. They are friends and neighbours. They are part of our community. The electorate of Gilmore has one of the highest unemployment rates in New South Wales, and keeping our posties in their jobs is vital. Not only that; the humble letter is an important part of country life. So I am absolutely appalled that the government is putting one in four postie jobs at risk with its cuts to Australia Post, and so are people in my electorate. Paul from Sussex Inlet said: 'This is a disgrace. Our postie is hardly coping as it is. They need more staff, not less. This is another wilful, destructive, privatising job-cutting of the public sector that must be stopped. Our postal services are vital—and can you imagine the mess they will make if this is all left to contractors?' Jacob from Bomaderry said: 'These changes have been proposed within six months of Aus Post staff working hazardous smoke conditions and delivering through the coronavirus pandemic. Please help protect the jobs of posties in Gilmore.'

The Prime Minister is using this pandemic to strip away more essential services from our country areas. Well, I can tell Mr Morrison we are just not going to sit here and take it. We cannot afford more job cuts. I stand with our posties. I want more jobs, not fewer.