Former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate will get a $1 million settlement from Australia Post over her ouster from the top job last year.
The million-dollar payout comes in addition to $100,000 paid by the national mail carrier for Holgate’s legal fees, and will be taxed as an employment termination package.
As Holgate has released Australia Post from any legal claims, and Post is making the payment without any admission of liability, the settlement – achieved through mediation before the Hon. Peter Jacobson QC – brings an end to Holgate’s feud with her former employer.
In a joint statement, Australia Post acknowledged that it “lost an effective CEO” in the affair, but stopped short of an explicit apology.
“Australia Post regrets the difficult circumstances surrounding Ms Holgate’s departure from her role as CEO.
“Australia Post recognises and thanks Ms Holgate for her outstanding contribution and strong leadership during her employment as CEO of Australia Post,” the statement read.
For her part, Holgate gave “the employees, partners and licensees of Australia Post her best wishes as they strive every day to provide a vital and affordable service to all Australians no matter where they reside”.
Holgate exited the CEO position at Australia Post late last year after controversy surrounding her decision to award around $20,000 in Cartier watches to four executives for securing an important contract.
A Senate inquiry this year blasted Lucio Di Bartolomeo, chair of the Australia Post board, for his role in the affair and recommended he step down; the report also called for apologies from Australia Post and from PM Scott Morrison, who publicly demanded her resignation on the floor of Parliament at the time.
Holgate has since been appointed CEO of Australia Post rival Global Express.
