Eddie McGuire explodes over the scandal surrounding Australia Post boss Christine Holgate

Scott Morrison and Eddie McGuire have clashed over the fate of the Australia Post CEO with the PM warning he wasn’t sorry for putting “a rocket” up her.

Scott Morrison and Eddie McGuire have clashed over the fate of the Australia Post CEO with the Prime Minister warning he made no apologies for putting “a rocket” up government-owned boards.

Launching a blistering defence of Australia Post’s embattled boss Christine Holgate and attacking the “hacks” and “dullards” trying to drag her down, Mr McGuire told news.com.au that her critics were engaging in “the politics of envy”.

Ms Holgate has gone to ground after the Prime Minister demanded she stand down from her $27,000-a-week job amid revelations she signed off on Cartier watches as a “reward” for senior executives.

But Mr Morrison said today it was the right thing to do to stand her aside.

“Well, we are the shareholder on behalf of the taxpayers,’’ he said.

“And that investigation is not just into the management and the executive but ... into the conduct of the board as well.

“And I did not pull any punches on that either.

“So no, I don’t agree with the assessment that Eddie has made, Eddie and I agree on some things but we don’t agree on others and no, I don’t agree with his assessment on that.

“I think there wouldn’t be a board member of a government agency or a CEO of a government agency that did not get my message yesterday. I think they got it with a rocket. And so, my advice to them is to get it.”

Asked if it was reasonable that Ms Holgate continues to be paid while the government conducts its 4- week investigation, Mr Morrison said the government had sought legal advice in relation to that matter.

The Collingwood Football Club President, who has worked with Ms Holgate on the club’s board, said he was left angry and disgusted when he watched the PM’s extraordinary spray in Question Time and he hoped she would “get out” and go back to the private sector.

“Christine Holgate is one of the most impressive people that I have ever met,” Mr McGuire told news.com.au

“Her absolute devotion to looking after people and getting an outcome is second to none. Her sacrifice is incredible.”

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Eddie McGuire has launched a stunning defence of Christine Holgate, the embattled Australia Post boss. Picture: AAP

Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate during Senate estimates in Canberra on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Mr McGuire said he would rather Ms Holgate was responsible for taxpayers’ money than many of the politicians who regularly “throw it against a wall.”

“And I looked at it, in the last couple of days, and I shake my head. I think how dumb is Australia?,” he said.

“That we still go into the politics of envy? I mean, seriously. Why do we go and get superstar, business people to run public entities, and then try and make them play like dullards?

“If that was the case, Dick Pratt, Kerry Packer, Twiggy Forrest … anyone who’s been any good in building their own life and their careers would have been sacked.”

Mr McGuire said Ms Holgate was offered a position on the board of a top bank but rejected that to take on the Collingwood board position because she felt she could actually do more good including tackling homelessness.

“All these areas of life where she actually gets her hands dirty on,” he said.

When COVID-19 hit, she made a substantial personal donation to ensure the Collingwood Football Club’s ‘Magpie Nest’, a joint project with the Salvation Army, could keep running.

“She will hate that I am saying this, but I hate seeing women who get to these positions get kicked around. She is an absolute star. There wasn’t even an ask and she rallied the troops to make sure that the Magpie Nest was able to be run and financed it out of her own pocket. She’s got such a big heart and a great mind.

“And for me, I look at that and go. If I knew anyone who’s a top business person who wanted to give back to the community, I would just say: ‘I have a look at that.’

“It staggers me, this race to the bottom, Fair dinkum, governments who waste so much money.

“I just thought it was a pile on. I don’t know what the background is. But as somebody sitting there watching this, I just thought, ‘Wow. This was a beat up where someone’s getting beaten up. When you’re running things it’s intuitive.”

RELATED: Australia Post’s boss Christine Holgate flashes $48,000 watch after husband’s worrying gift

“Christine Holgate is one of the most impressive people that I have ever met,” Eddie McGuire has declared. Picture: Mark Stewart

Mr McGuire said if she decided to leave the job big business should welcome her with open arms.

“It’s not like she was actually sticking their money in their own pocket; she was actually doing it too, to lift people around her,” he said.

“I know Christine. That’s what she does. You know what? Best thing that could ever happen that she gets out of working for these dullards.”

Ms Holgate was savaged for turning up at Senate estimates wearing a Bulgari watch that retails for up to $48,000.

“People are having a go at her for wearing an expensive watch,” Mr McGuire said.

“Yeah, she’s got an expensive watch on because she earned it. She actually came from nothing. There should be a statue of Christine Holgate to inspire people.

“These … hacks, dragging people down. Why go and hire her if you don’t want to have her? Go get some public servants to tick the boxes.”

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Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate has stood down while an investigation is conducted. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Writing in the Herald Sun, veteran business journalist Terry McCrann has also slammed the attacks on Ms Holgate as “hysteria on steroids”.

“I am appalled and shocked that a Prime Minister could be so utterly stupid and so utterly spineless at the same time,’’ Mr McCrann said.

“Scott Morrison’s savage attack on Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate over the four $3000 watches and his demand she stand aside while this terrible crime be investigated as a matter of urgency was hysteria on steroids.”

Mr McCrann also said it was damaging to Ms Holgate’s reputation that she had been asked to stand aside by the Prime Minister.

“And why on earth — indeed, on any planet in the known universe — is it necessary for Holgate to “stand down” while Morrison’s ludicrous inquiry goes on?” he wrote.

“What does he think she is going to do? Hide the watches? Menace the “investigators?”

In The Australian, business commentator Robert Gottliebsen said Ms Holgate was finding out that “no success goes unpunished at Australia Post.”

“I hope Holgate is strong enough to stand up to the PM, but her board is stuffed with mates of the Liberals,” he wrote.