Australia Post CEO denies misleading Senate over closure plans

Australia Post chief executive Paul Graham has denied allegations that he misled a Senate committee regarding potential post office closures. During a heated inquiry, Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson accused Graham of being deceptive after a leaked business case, titled ‘Licensed Post Office Reimagined’, suggested plans to reshape the retail network.

The leaked document reportedly outlines a strategy that could involve shutting down up to 36 metropolitan outlets in New South Wales and Victoria, as well as pushing regional operators to relinquish perpetual licenses. Senator Henderson argued that the board had approved key design elements of this model in May, contradicting previous testimony that no active closure plans existed.

Mr. Graham defended his previous statements, asserting that the plans were in an ‘embryonic’ stage and did not constitute an ‘active program’. He characterized the document as a framework rather than a formal, activated plan. Meanwhile, the Licensed Post Office Group criticized the leadership, claiming the focus has shifted toward shrinking the network rather than growing it.