Christine Holgate hires same lawyer as Christian Porter in legal fight over departure

Christine Holgate has hired the same lawyer as Christian Porter as she ramps up her legal efforts over her contentious exit from Australia Post.

Christine Holgate has engaged the same lawyer used by Christian Porter as she fights back over her controversial departure from Australia Post.

The former chief executive claimed she was “humiliated” by the Prime Minister and “bullied” out of her role, saying she was effectively sacked following revelations on gifts to senior executives.

Ms Holgate has now employed leading reputational lawyer Rebekah Giles in her legal action over her exit.

Ms Giles will also represent former Attorney-General Christian Porter as he sues the ABC for defamation over a program airing a historical rape allegation, which he denied.

RELATED: Scott Morrison rejects Christine Holgate submission, says she decided to quit

Christine Holgate says she was ‘humiliated’ by the Prime Minister before being ‘bullied’ out of her job. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Ms Holgate had proposed a mediation session overseen by a retired judge that would include Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and Finance Minister Simon Birmingham.

Ms Holgate’s departure was prompted by revelations three Australia Post executives were gifted Cartier watches at a collective value of roughly $20,000.

Within hours, Mr Morrison described the gifts as “disgraceful” and said Ms Holgate had been instructed to stand aside.

“If she doesn’t wish to do that, she can go,” he told parliament.

Ms Holgate has reportedly hired leading lawyer Rebekah Giles. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Ms Giles is also representing Christian Porter in his defamation suit against the ABC. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

In explosive testimony to a Senate inquiry this month, Ms Holgate described the Prime Minister’s intervention as a “humiliation” and argued it made her position untenable.

“I lost my job, a job that I loved, because I was humiliated by our Prime Minister for committing no offence and then bullied by my chairman,” she said.

The Prime Minister and Mr Fletcher have both insisted Ms Holgate quit of her own volition.

A day after Ms Holgate gave evidence, Mr Morrison insisted the gifts were not “appropriate” but apologised for any offence caused to her.

“I regret any distress that that strong language may have caused to her and indeed did cause to her,” he said.

Originally published as Christine Holgate hires same lawyer as Christian Porter in legal fight over departure