The main issue is that it's really only the sorting that can be done by machines, and even then many articles still need to be hand sorted, plus their man-power has not only been reduced, but diverted to other priorities (care packages, essential medical supply delivery etc). Truck drivers are probably in very short supply at the moment. Or, at least well rested ones.
I've been very critical of Australia Post over the years, and still am (right now I am pretty miffed that I bought a bunch of priority labels last week to ship express to me, paid $15 for the privelege, when standard is free, on the hope I'd get them a couple of days sooner at least, they sent them regular and now when they do finally arrive, they'll be useless for 14 months or so).
But I also remember how I was feeling not so long ago, watching every aspect of my business, job and sole source of income circle the drain, and now I'm just grateful they're limping along and keeping me from any of the less attractive options out there at the moment.
There are probably a number of things they could be doing better right now, but I'm hesitant to put even more pressure on them or staff as they are in pretty new territory, since even at Christmas times in the past, domestic and international flights were plentiful, and at least there hasn't been continual notices of price increases like I got with DHL.
Offering a courier option isn't something to rule out (so my intention wasn't to criticise that), it's just something that will only help in limited circumstances.
