• Advertise
  • About us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Australian Times News
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
Australian Times News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Australia Post chairman wouldn’t have approved controversial gifts

Chair tells Senate hearing he wouldn’t have allowed Cartier luxury watches to be given to executives as a bonus for their hard work.

Mike Simpson by Mike Simpson
10-11-2020 07:00
in News
Generic photo of a Cartier watch. Image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay

Generic photo of a Cartier watch. Image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay

In the wake of the scandal over the luxury watches bought by the former Australia Post CEO for several senior executives, the organisation’s current chairman has said he would not have sanctioned the gifts if he had been in the job at the time.

Speaking before a Senate Estimates hearing last night, Chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo said he wouldn’t have approved the gifting of Cartier watches valued at a total of $12,000 to four senior employees for outstanding work.

Furious response from Prime Minister

The gifts were handed over two years ago by the then CEO of Australia Post, Christine Holgate. However, the situation only came to light last month, prompting a furious response in Parliament from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

He insisted that Holgate stand aside while an investigation takes place. She subsequently decided to resign from her job last week.

Australia Post is in a unique situation

In his address last night, Di Bartolomeo said: “If I had been chair in 2018 and had been made aware of the proposal to purchase Cartier watches, I would have vetoed that purchase.

“While highly appreciative of the excellent work of the staff concerned … I acknowledge the purchase of the watches may not have met with expectations of members of the public or my own expectations.”

The Chairman emphasised that Australia Post is in a unique situation, given that it is a government business enterprise owned by the taxpayer.

We must manage this business prudently

“I understand well that our ownership structure places a unique responsibility to manage the resources of this business prudently and ultimately in the best interests of all Australians as underlying shareholders as well as customers,” he stated.

But Di Bartolomeo also praised Holgate for her hard work in what he noted was an “extraordinary” year that included the Black Summer bushfires and coronavirus pandemic.

AlsoRead...

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

5 June 2025
Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin

Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin

28 May 2025

In her own statement when she resigned, Holgate said: “I deeply regret that a decision made two years ago, which was supported by the Chair [at the time], to recognise the outstanding work of four employees has caused so much debate and distraction and I appreciate the optics of the gifts involved do not pass the ‘pub test’ for many.”

Tags: Australia PostbusinessBusiness scandalsChristine Holgate
DMCA.com Protection Status

SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER

[mc4wp_form id=”2384248″]

Don't Miss

From Portugal to Bali: Where Aussies Should Go for Your Next Coastal Holiday

by Fazila Olla-Logday
20 June 2025
Source: Flickr
Travel

Aussies, here is a guide to where you should go for your next coastal holiday.

Read more

Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era

by Pauline Torongo
5 June 2025
Leading with Trust: Why Quality still wins in the AI Era
Business & Finance

If you're leading a software team today, you've likely noticed the shift: faster feature rollouts, routine automation, and AI taking...

Read more

How to Save on Airport Parking: Budget Tips Every Traveller Should Know

by Fazila Olla-Logday
3 June 2025
How to Save on Airport Parking
Travel

Saving money on airport parking can be a challenge,but here are some budget friendly tips to help you navigate.

Read more

Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin

by Pauline Torongo
28 May 2025
Why Australian Investors are Betting on the Aviation Maverick Louis Belanger-Martin
Business & Finance

Bélanger-Martin’s ambitions stretch beyond redefining inflight comfort—they’re rooted in resurrecting the romance of supersonic travel with a modern twist.

Read more

Why a Gluten Free Hamper is simply the Best Gift for a Coeliac

by Fazila Olla-Logday
22 May 2025
Gluten Free Hamper
at

Buying a thoughtful gift can be tricky at the best of times, but when someone has dietary restrictions like coeliac...

Read more

Biela.dev is quietly becoming the Infrastructure Layer for the Next Internet

by Pauline Torongo
15 May 2025
Biela.dev is quietly becoming the Infrastructure Layer for the Next Internet
Technology

Biela.dev is not merely a consumer app; it is infrastructure. It could be a layer that powers the next generation...

Read more

The Battle for the Premier League’s Fifth Champions League Spot: Who Will Prevail?

by Fazila Olla-Logday
8 May 2025
Premier-Leagues-Fifth-Champions-League-Janosch-Diggelmann-Unsplash
at

As the Premier League season nears its climax, the race for the coveted Champions League places is tighter and more...

Read more
Load More

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status

  • About us
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • T&Cs, Privacy and GDPR
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
  • Lifestyle
    • Entertainment
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status