‘Does she have an issue with the colour of my skin?’: Australia Post CEO hits back at Pauline Hanson

THE outgoing boss of Australia Post has taken an almighty swipe at Pauline Hanson, asking if she has “an issue with the colour” of his skin.

OUTGOING Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour has taken another swipe at Pauline Hanson, asking if the senator has “an issue with the colour” of his skin.

Fahour confirmed he would step down from his role on Wednesday. He used his resignation announcement to take a dig at Hanson, who was vocal in her criticism of his $5.6 million annual salary.

After Hanson engaged in the slinging match on Twitter, Fahour decided to take another swing during an interview on The Project, asking if Hanson’s comments were in relation to the colour of his skin.

“You know, what Senator Hanson should really work out: does she have a real issue with how Australia Post is performing or does she have an issue with the colour of my skin or my religion?” he said.

“If it is about the business, I am more than (ready) to talk about the complexities of running a parcels online e-commerce business and what we have to do to manage a $6.5 billion turnover business and how to compete with global giants.

“If it is about an issue of how I support social inclusion in this country and how we make sure that this beautiful multicultural country we live in, to live together and appreciate each other, if the issue is about that, then no problems at all. I am happy to do that any time of the week.”

Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour announces his resignation in Melbourne,

In response to Senator Hanson’s jokes about Australia Post delays, Fahour defended his former employees.

“I don’t particularly appreciate any politician, who live off the taxpayer — because that’s what our politicians do — criticising the amazing work that our post officers and employees do for this amazing service,” he said.

During his resignation announcement, Fahour made what many perceived to be a veiled dig at Hanson.

“One of the things that is sometimes lost among many people is the size and extent of this organisation. This is a very large organisation with a very large footprint,” he said. “It is fair to say it is a little bit more complex than running a fish-and-chip shop.”

“I’VE HAD A PRETTY GOOD WICKET”

Earlier on The Project, the $5.6 million man defended his seven years in the top job at Australia Post and denied the mass criticism of his salary had much influence on his decision to leave.

“I have been seven years in the job. The average CEO in this country seems to be lasting three or four years, so I have had a pretty good wicket,” he said. “At the end of the day, the most important part of the decision for me was the turnaround for Australia Post, getting it onto sustainable footing.

“We got it there and we produced a bumper profit. The company is on a good path going forward. I thought it was time to hang up the boots.”

Details of Fahour’s $5.6 million wage for 2016 were revealed earlier this month and sparked criticism from the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who labelled it “too high”.

His resignation comes after the government-owned business posted a bumper first-half profit of $131 million off strong growth in parcel volumes, despite a further 11 per cent decline in letters.