Australia Post boss Christine Holgate resigns, licensees fear return to insolvency

Australia Post licensees say their business are now “worthless” after CEO Christine Holgate quit over the Cartier watch scandal.

The resignation of Australia Post boss Christine Holgate “will spell the end” for thousands of workers who operate post offices across the country, according to the Licensed Post Office Group.

Executive director Angela Cramp, who heads the group of 2850 members, said there was “no way back from this” after Australia Post boss Christine Holgate resigned on Monday – just weeks after the Prime Minister bluntly told her if she didn’t wish to stand aside “she should go”.

“Australia Post Australia and licensees are all the poorer from this,” Ms Cramp said.

“We have all woken up today with no hope and learned that all our billions of investments is back to where it was 10 years ago when the business was virtually worthless and insolvent.

“The last two CEOs wanted everything to be done on a smartphone, that there was no need for post offices – but Christine Holgate came in and was determined to have licensees see a return on their investment.”

Licensed Post Office Group executive director Angela Cramp fears for the future of Australia Post.

It comes after an investigation revealed Ms Holgate approved the purchase of four Cartier watches – totalling $12,000 – for company executives.

In a statement, Ms Holgate said she offered her resignation and would not seek financial compensation.

“I have offered today the chairman and board of Australia, with great sadness, my resignation as chief executive with immediate effect,’’ she said.

“I firmly believe that the ‘ship’ needs a strong captain at the helm to help navigate through this time.

“The current issue I am managing is a significant distraction and I do not believe it is good for either Australia Post or my personal wellbeing.

“Consequently, I have made the difficult decision to resign, hoping it will allow the organisation to fully focus on serving our customers.”

Ms Cramp said 80 per cent of Australia Post offices across the country were privately owned and warned of imminent industrial action in support of Ms Holgate.

“We’ll have to do something,” she said.

“Holgate came along and looked at the business and made changes so we’d be sustainable. Now licensees see no future whatsoever, absolutely none.

“At a time when the going got tough during the COVID-19 pandemic we were there helping Australians with their everyday needs – our post offices was the only way Aussies could connect with each other.”