The first shipment of equipment delivered as part of the Australian Government's commitment to supporting Pacific nations improve the efficiency of their postal services has arrived today in the Solomon Islands.
Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, joined representatives from Australia Post and Solomon Post to deliver two Electric Delivery Vehicles, ten motorbikes, personal protective equipment, computers, scanning and sorting equipment, uniforms, and other supplies.
The Pacific Postal Development Partnership - announced in August 2022 - aims to boost the efficiency and security of postal services between Australia and the Pacific, benefiting consumers and businesses - including the estimated 200,000 people with Pacific heritage living in Australia.
Equipment deliveries to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu will follow progressively over coming weeks with deliveries to Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa and Tuvalu later this year.
Further capacity building initiatives are currently being scoped with Pacific postal operators for the remainder of the three-year partnership.
The Australian Government has provided Australia Post with a $450,000 contribution to target improvements to postal systems, processes, technology and training in the region.
This funding is being supplemented by Australia Post's expertise and in-kind support, including equipment to help meet the needs of Pacific postal operators.
Equipment needs have been jointly identified by Australia Post and Pacific postal operators and will increase the reliability of deliveries, both domestically and internationally.
Australia Post experts will commission the equipment and provide support to Pacific postal employees through operational training and ongoing support, enabling more efficient postal services across the region.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"Quality postal services remain the backbone of economic growth and regional development.
"Australia is proud to collaborate with Pacific postal operators to improve services in the region and support the needs of our Pacific family.
"The equipment delivered today and over coming months will support modern and efficient postal services in the Pacific, and create new opportunities for local citizens and small businesses.
"I am pleased to support our Pacific family through this important initiative."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
"This is just the first step in our activities under the partnership. Improving connections across our region will bring Australians and people across the Pacific even closer together.
"The Pacific Postal Development Partnership complements other activities being undertaken in the region to enhance e-commerce and economic development, including through the Universal Postal Union and the Asian-Pacific Postal Union.
"The Albanese Government is deepening Australia's relationships with the Pacific family, working with partners, including Solomon Islands, to boost connectivity and support economic development in our region."
Quotes attributable to Australia Post CEO & Managing Director, Paul Graham:
"Australia Post is proud to be working with the Australian Government to support our postal partners across the Pacific as they modernise their postal services.
"We've worked closely with our Pacific postal partners to provide them with equipment and training that meets their specific needs and helps them every day to improve efficiency and reduce safety risks.
"The 10 shipping containers of equipment, include electric delivery vehicles (eDVs), motorbikes, wet weather gear, IT and letter sorting equipment, that our teams have sourced and refurbished for our partners."
