Communications Minister Anika Wells must explain how Australia Post squandered at least $10 million on 500 foreign-made electric delivery trikes which were taken off the road within months, according to Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety, Sarah Henderson.
In October 2025, Australia Post trumpeted the Taiwanese-made Gaius Rapide 3 three-wheeled vehicles as delivering “enhanced safety, stability and comfort” and more efficient parcel delivery. Australia Post’s 2025 annual report claimed the vehicles represented an “evolution in safety”.
Australia Post Group CEO and MD, Paul Graham, said at the time Australia Post was “future-proofing sustainable operations” to help the organisation reach its net zero emissions target by 2050.
Yet within months, after safety concerns were raised by the union representing riders, Australia Post removed the fleet from operational use citing “limitations in their fitness for purpose”.*
“Anika Wells must explain how this e-trikes debacle occurred, how much money was wasted and whether any funds can be recovered,” Senator Henderson said.
“Australians deserve to know why millions of dollars were spent on deficient foreign-manufactured vehicles, while an Australian manufacturer which had spent years developing an alternative was passed over.”
“Given Australia Post has declined to disclose the cost of the vehicles and the number of injuries suffered by postal workers, it is incumbent on the minister to be fully transparent about what went wrong,” Senator Henderson said.
This comes at a time when Australia Post reported a $107.6 million underlying loss in the last financial year, with a $31.8 million pre-tax profit bolstered by $139.4 million from property divestments.
In the most recent federal Budget, the Albanese government provided Australia Post with $40.5 million to accelerate the rollout of Australia Post’s EV fleet.
“To make matters worse, it appears the minister was happy to turn a blind eye to this botched acquisition and provide Australia Post with $40.5 million for its EV vehicle strategy, no questions asked,” Senator Henderson said.
*See Australia Post’s answer to Senator Henderson’s question on notice from Budget Estimates 2026 (SQ26-000966).