Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has described media reports during the peak Christmas period that the Federal Government could double the cost of postage stamps to $1.50 as ‘petty’.

There are reports the Federal Government is considering a move to double the cost of postage stamps to $1.50, which could rise as high as $2 within three years, under a two-tiered pricing system.

“The sending of letters is a very important social medium.

“Sending a personalised card is something everyone in Australia does from time to time – but in particular at Christmas time.

“The government seems to be stepping off the wrong foot all of the time.

“I mean, to make this announcement before Christmas when everyone is sending out their Christmas cards doesn’t seem to me to be particularly clever,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter pointed to examples in other sectors where privatisation and corporatisation of the people’s assets had resulted in increasing prices for consumers and increasing pay packets for the CEOs.

“The Australia Post CEO wants a big profit. When you privatise and corporatise everything, then a profit has to be added and a huge salary goes to the CEO.

“In Queensland the price of electricity is going to treble, as it has throughout Australia due to corporatisation and deregulation.

“Here with Australia Post we are watching the doubling of the cost of sending a Christmas card. How petty, how very petty,” Mr Katter said.