Remote areas in Australia get cheaper postal rates
AUSTRALIA Post will set special cheaper postal rates for medical supplies and educational material being sent to and from people living in remote areas of Australia under a plan announced last week by Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston.
Senator Alston said the decision would make life easier for people in remote areas who often rely on medicines, textbooks and other material being sent to them because of the lack of ready access to such material.
Charters Towers is listed as a remote area eligible for discounted prices, as are Hughenden and Richmond, (postcodes 4820, 4821 and 4822).
To be eligible for the special rate, parcels can only contain medical prescription items, non-prescription pharmacy medicines or other medicines specified by a registered medical practitioner.
Alternatively, parcels may contain printed, written or electronic media specifically related to a recognised course of study organised by an educational institution.
The special rates will not apply to parcels containing such things as dietary supplements or herbal remedies, veterinary supplies, non-prescription optical or dental products, nappies, books or stationery supplies.
The new prices will apply from 1 July 2003 and will be based on a three-tier system:
* Non-standard articles up to 250 grams will be charged at $2.10 (a discount of 30 per cent on the normal rate);
* Articles over 250 and up to 500 grams will be charged at $2.80 (a discount of 30 per cent on the normal rate); and
* Articles over 500 grams and up to five kilograms will be charged at a rate of $5 (a discount of 14% up to 75% on the normal rate).
People eligible to access the new rates will include registered medical practitioners, practising ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, dentists, retailers and wholesalers of medicines and medical supplies and recognised educational institutions, sending material to people living in remote areas of Australia.
The special rates will also apply to people in remote areas sending eligible educational and medical materials.
