Australia Post report seeks PM apology, chair's sacking over Christine Holgate saga

Former Australia Post chief Christine Holgate is owed an apology from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the board for their unfair treatment of her, a Senate committee has found.

A parliamentary committee looking at the circumstances surrounding the decision to stand down Ms Holgate has published its final report.

“The committee recommends the Australia Post board and shareholder ministers and the Prime Minister apologise to Ms Holgate for denying her the legal principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in her departure from Australia Post,” the majority report recommended.

Non-government members of the committee also called on the Australia Post chair to resign.

They said Lucio Di Bartolomeo needed to accept responsibility for the organisation’s failings with respect to the Holgate matter, the veracity of his evidence provided to the committee, his capacity to defend the independence of Australia Post, and the lack of effective robust policies and financial oversight processes in place throughout his tenure.

Government members of the committee pointed out in a dissenting report the purchase of the watches had occurred before he held the role.

“Evidence to the committee highlighted that the current chair sought to work in a constructive manner with Ms Holgate during what was a fast-moving sequence of events being played out in the spotlight of the media,” they said.

The majority of the committee also recommended the solicitor-general investigate the legality of the instruction from shareholder ministers that the board should stand Ms Holgate aside while an investigation took place into the purchase of four luxury Cartier watches given to four managers in 2018.

The Australia Post managers were being thanked for securing a $225 million investment into the government-owned business.

The inquiry took evidence on whether the then Australia Post chair knew about the watches, whether the gifts were within the rules, and how they compared with bonuses given within other government-owned corporations.

It also examined issues around the future of Australia Post’s services.

Ms Holgate, who has since joined Toll Global Express as the new chief executive, claims she was bullied and unlawfully stood aside.

Australia Post’s lawyers have conditionally agreed to participate in mediation with Ms Holgate.

There was cross-party agreement in the committee for Australia Post to remain in public hands and for its community service obligation to be expanded to include its parcel service as a core business.