The sudden backflip of Australia Post’s Alice Springs after a traumatized Postie was threatened with a knife and thrown rocks
- Australia Post resumes service to suburb of Alice Springs
- A veteran postie was threatened and attacked.
Australia Post suddenly resumed services to a crime-ridden suburb in Alice Springs after a veteran courier was violently attacked.
Residents of Sadadeen, in the eastern Northern Territory city, received a letter last week informing them that they would lose their home delivery service for an indefinite period.
It was estimated that at least 200 homes would be affected by the suspension of service.
The incidents involving the postie, who has worked for Australia Post for 38 years, occurred over several months and on one occasion she was threatened with a knife and had rocks thrown at her on another trip.
A veteran postie in Alice Springs was threatened with a knife and had rocks thrown at his bike (file image pictured)
Australia Post resumed delivery services to Sadadeen on Monday after a series of attacks involving a veteran courier (file image pictured)
An Australia Post spokesperson told the Daily Mail that Australian postal services to affected areas would resume on Monday.
“After close consultation with local police and relevant authorities, Australia Post is pleased to report that deliveries to Sadadeen will resume as normal,” the spokesperson said.
“We thank our customers for their understanding and appreciate the support of the community and local authorities in ensuring the safety of our team members.”
The spokesman said the organization could not comment on “details of previous incidents” but that there had been “serious security risks to our post including stones and knives.”
“Of course we couldn’t risk their safety, so we temporarily suspended delivery to that area,” they said.
Liberal Braitling member Josh Burgoyne said “more needs to be done to ensure workers can be protected.”
Alice Springs has faced a large number of break-ins and assaults and the community has called on authorities to find a solution (stock image of Alice Springs pictured)
Braitling’s Liberal Country member, Josh Burgoyne, said the postie had gone on stress leave last year.
After bravely making the decision to return to work in early 2023, she was soon threatened with a knife while delivering the mail.
Mr Burgoyne said the courier also had rocks thrown at his bike.
“When you’ve been on the job for 38 years, this is not something you expect to happen,” he told ABC News.
He also stressed that “more needs to be done to ensure that workers can be protected.”
Northern Territory Police are investigating the claims.
The news follows several months of intense media scrutiny in the Northern Territory due to a rise in violent crime in Alice Springs.
The community faced a large number of break-ins and assaults and asked the authorities to find a solution, particularly in relation to the high level of juvenile delinquency.
Alcohol restrictions were reintroduced in Alice Springs last month and crime rates have started to drop again.
Northern Territory Police have been contacted for comment.