Scott Morrison ‘should apologise to Christine Holgate’

A parliamentary probe into the Cartier watch scandal has called on Scott Morrison to apologise to ousted Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate over her treatment.

The report is vindication for ‘everyone who has suffered bullying or has felt powerless’: Christine Holgate in the Hunter Valley on Wednesday. Picture: John Feder

A parliamentary probe into the Cartier watch scandal has called on Scott Morrison to apologise to ousted Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate over her treatment and for the organisation’s chairman, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, to resign.

Ms Holgate applauded the 25 recommendations made by an unusual alliance of Labor, the Greens and One Nation, declaring the final Senate committee report vindication for “everyone who has suffered bullying or has felt powerless”.

The findings were contested, however, with a dissenting report from Liberal and Nationals senators accusing the probe of becoming a “highly politicised exercise”.

Ms Holgate quit Australia Post in November after it was revealed she bought four watches worth $12,000 as rewards for senior employees – a move that sparked a personal intervention from the Prime Minister when he publicly called for an investigation into the purchases.

The ex-postal sector chief said she dedicated the report’s findings to everyone who has suffered bullying. “I hope that the findings of the committee’s report are enacted, and we can finally settle my personal issues via mediation.”

The majority report recommended Communications Minister Paul Fletcher be investigated by Auditor-General Grant Hehir over his “instruction” to the board for Ms Holgate to be stood aside and that a new Australia Post board, including MPs and senators, be installed to make the ­organisation more accountable.

“The committee recommends that the Australia Post board, shareholder ministers and the Prime Minister apologise to Ms Holgate for denying her the legal principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in her departure from Australia Post,” it said.

Mr Fletcher said the government had consistently acknowledged Ms Holgate was an effective CEO of Australia Post and congratulated her on her new role at Global Express.

“The government’s response to the findings of the Senate environment and communications references committee is reflected in the detailed dissenting report.”

The dissenting report argued that they did not support “aspects of the analysis of evidence” and disagreed with “many of the recommendations” of the majority.

“The claim that Ms Holgate was denied procedural fairness and natural justice is contested,” they said. “Evidence to the inquiry was characterised by differing recollections of events and interpretations placed on evidence such as phone records.”

Also disputed was the recommendation Mr Di Bartolomeo resign, the dissenters saying evidence to the committee showed the board’s chair “sought to work in a constructive manner with Ms Holgate during what was a fast-moving sequence of events played out in the spotlight of the media.”

The committee chair, Sarah Hanson-Young, said the purchase of Cartier watches had been “unwise” but Ms Holgate’s treatment had been disproportionate.

“(She) was denied natural justice, due process and fair treatment and is owed an apology from Mr Morrison and his government,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

Ms Holgate, who is seeking a $700,000 payout from Australia Post, claimed she was unlawfully stood aside when appearing at the committee last month and attacked Mr Morrison and Australia Post over the “bullying” and “humiliation” she endured.

She has since joined Toll Global Express as the operation’s new chief executive.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who endorsed the majority report, took aim at Mr Morrison for “putting his mouth in action before he engaged his brain”