Push for free paper bills

Keep Me Posted (KMP) advocates every Australians’ right to choose, free of charge, how they receive important financial information. It is supported by unions, Australia Post and the print industry.

Despite federal and state governments’ plans to get older people “tech savvy” a high percentage of seniors are not digitally connected. The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows only half of Australians over 65 are regular internet users – a figure which further declines with age.

Factors identified as preventing older people from accessing digital technology include lack of interest, fear, physical incapacity and poor availability in remote areas. But for many the simple reason is cost.

KMP executive director Kellie Northwood said many organisations charging for paper bills and “slugging the vulnerable”, like banks and telecommunications companies, were already making super profits.

“Digital has a great many strengths. We are not against it, but we are pro-choice,” she said.

“If it is easier for an older person to have their bill printed for them and posted out, they should not be penalised.”

Ms Northwood said research showed it cost big business about 88 cents to provide a consumer with a paper bill – including postage – yet the average cost to the consumer of a paper bill was $2.20-$2.50 and “we’ve seen some companies charge $6.70”.

Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association spokes­­man Paul Versteege said making seniors pay for paper bills was “just penalising them pointlessly”.

“CPSA wants banks and businesses to understand that charging for paper bills and statements will not encourage people unable to use or to even afford being online to go out and buy a device so they can receive their bills and statements electronically.”

The campaign is also supported by the Council on the Ageing. “It is discriminatory against older people who are not connected to the internet world, and indeed to anyone who cannot afford to be,” chief executive Ian Yates said.