Australia Post CEO suspended

The Australia Post Chief, Christine Holgate, has been suspended and the board put on notice pending an investigation into how the organisation spent approximately  $19,950 on Cartier watches as a reward for four senior managers.

Australia Post Chair, Lucio Di Bartolomeo released statement to say: “On 22 October 2020 Australia Post representatives appeared before the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee in relation to Budget Estimates 2020-21.

During that appearance, Australia Post’s Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director provided answers to questions relating to the purchase of four gifts for four Australia Post employees. Since the appearance, I have become aware of further details of the purchase and wish, as a matter of urgency, to clarify that the purchase was of four items costing $7,000, $4,750, $4,400 and $3,800 totalling $19,950 (including GST), and was made in November 2018.

Australia Post will continue to participate transparently in Budget Estimates 2020-21 processes, including to review the proof Hansard transcript of evidence when it is made available and to respond to questions on notice, and will – as reflected in my public statement yesterday – also fully cooperate with the recently announced investigation to be conducted by shareholder departments.”