Prime Minister Scott Morrison doubles down on Christine Holgate outburst but apologises for offence

Scott Morrison has doubled down on a controversial public outburst that ‘humiliated’ the recipient and forced her to quit.

Scott Morrison has doubled down on his outburst over Australia Post spending thousands on watches for senior executives despite its former chief executive accusing him of “humiliating” her.

Christine Holgate resigned in the midst of the scandal last year and on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Prime Minister for his remarks.

Mr Morrison in October declared the watch purchases were “disgraceful” and said Ms Holgate had been instructed to stand aside.

The prime minister told reporters on Wednesday he did not believe Ms Holgate’s decision to gift Cartier watches to well-paid executives who already had existing performance bonus arrangements was appropriate.

RELATED: Holgate says she was humiliated by PM Morrison

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate gave evidence to a Senate inquiry investigating her controversial departure.

“I didn’t think it was appropriate, I still don’t think it was appropriate,” he said.

“When that occurred it was also stated that this was not taxpayers’ money. I disagreed with that statement strongly too.

“If it’s a government company, it is taxpayers’ money, and it should be treated with the same level of respect across government organisations as well.”

But Mr Morrison conceded he regretted causing distress to Ms Holgate by publicly berating her.

“The language in the parliament was very strong. It was not my intention to cause distress to Christine Holgate. I regret any distress that that strong language may have caused to her, and indeed did cause to her,” he said.

Ms Holgate on Tuesday told a Senate inquiry the comments were a public “humiliation” and left her position untenable.

She also claimed gender had a role to play in her ousting, which Mr Morrison flatly rejected.

“This was about the issues of taxpayers’ money,” he told The West Live.

“I don’t accept that there were any gender-related issues.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the Prime Minister “effectively sacked” the former chief executive and was attempting to avoid responsibility by suggesting she stand aside.

RELATED: Ex-Australia Post boss Christine Holgate demands apology over Cartier watches scandal

Scott Morrison said gifting watches to well-paid executives ‘shouldn’t happen in taxpayer-funded organisations’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Mr Albanese was pressed on whether he regretted saying Ms Holgate’s position was “untenable” in the day’s following Mr Morrison’s outburst.

He claimed his comments mirrored those of Ms Holgate, saying the Prime Minister “owned” the controversy.

“Scott Morrison’s comments in parliament made that position untenable. Scott Morrison effectively sacked Christine Holgate on the floor of parliament,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“After that answer, of course, how could she continue? That was the evidence that was given.”

Ms Holgate revealed the gifts under a grilling from Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, but Mr Albanese defended the line of questioning.

“Labor asked questions about taxpayers’ funds in Senate estimates. That is what Senate estimates is for, it is our job to do that,” he said.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese says it is Labor’s job to ask questions. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Mr Morrison claimed he intended for Ms Holgate to stand aside while a review was conducted into the matter, insisting she left of her own volition.

He said that if Ms Holgate had not resigned, the “serious issues that were raised” might have been “worked through”.

“She chose, while the review was underway, to resign from the company. That was a matter between her and the chairman,” he said.

During fiery testimony on Tuesday, Ms Holgate also lashed Mr Morrison for keeping men accused of “terrible atrocities” against women in his party while “humiliating” her publicly.

Mr Morrison earlier distinguished Ms Holgate from Liberal MP Andrew Laming, who he has kept in the party-room until the next election despite admitting to bullying and harassing women.

The prime minister argued, unlike Ms Holgate, Mr Laming could only be hired and fired by the Australian people.

Christian Porter also remained in cabinet despite an historical rape allegation levelled at the former attorney-general, which he has vigorously denied.

Mr Albanese said it was “inexplicable” that NSW Police chiefs denied a request for detectives to travel to interview the alleged victim in South Australia.

“Scott Morrison has one too many people in his cabinet, and the name is Christian Porter,” he said.

“There needs to be at the very least an investigation into these matters … We need to know why that occurred.”