In the week that we (newsagents) learn that our independent small business channel has lost the contract to deliver the Foxtel magazines to Foxtel subscribers to the government owned Australia Post, we (in Victoria at least) have been granted a delivery fee rise for the Herald Sun newspaper to take effect in a few weeks. What one have gives another takes away.
The delivery fee rise is most welcome. It’s been a long time coming given the wage and other cost increases since the last fee increase about 8 years ago.
The news about the Foxtel contract going to Australia Post ends the week on a sour note. I wouldn’t be annoyed if the government ownership did not extend to any part of the business for which there was active competition. In other words, the government should divest itself of the retail operation and the commercial distribution operation. A government concerned about business and, in particular small business, would get to work on this.