Inquiry has released 25 recommendations following the watch scandal last year
The senate inquiry into the Australia Post watch scandal has called for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to apologise to former CEO Christine Holgate.
Amid the senate’s findings, the PM and the Australia Post board have been urged to say sorry for “denying the legal principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in her departure”. Released today, the findings include 25 recommendations, including restructuring the board and ruling out any attempts to privative or divest the company.
"Within hours of Ms Holgate's fateful estimates appearance, a high performing and well-respected CEO of one of Australia's most significant and valued government institutions, was placed in an untenable position by the Prime Minister's declaration," the Senate committee said.
"The evidence before this Committee indicates the ultimatum … was not a spur of the moment reaction, but rather a calculated response aimed at achieving a predetermined outcome."
Read more: Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate resigns amid watch saga
Holgate was drawn into the spotlight last year after an explosive row over four executives who were gifted Cartier watches totalling $20,000 for securing a lucrative deal. But Morrison went one step further when he condemned her in Parliament and called for her to be sacked.
Giving evidence at the Senate inquiry earlier this year, Holgate said she had been pushed out of her job and accused Morrison of the worst case of workplace bullying she’d ever witnessed.
"I lost my job, a job that I loved, because I was humiliated by our prime minister for committing no offence and then bullied by my chairman," she told the committee.
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"The simple truth is I was bullied out of my job. I was humiliated and driven to despair.”
In November, Holgate announced that she would resign with ‘immediate effect’ after three years in the position. She has now taken up the position of CEO at rival delivery firm Global Express.