World News – AU – Australia Post spent $ 12,000 on Cartier watches for its employees

The Australian Post bought Cartier watches worth $ 3,000 each for four of its senior employees as a reward for negotiating a deal with Australian banks

Australia Post director Christine Holgate was forced to reveal the gifts were purchased in October 2018, when she was questioned Thursday by a hearing into the Senate estimates

Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate defended the decision to buy four Cartier watches for her employees as a reward for negotiating a deal with Australian banks in a Senate forecast hearing ThursdayCredit: Alex Ellinghausen

« There were a small number of senior executives who overworked and they received an award from the chairman, myself and on behalf of the board, » Ms Holgate told the committee

Asked by Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching about the award, Ms Holgate said: « It was a Cartier watch valued at $ 3,000 each »

Ms Holgate said the giveaways were held in her office for four employees who worked on the Bank @ Post deal with Commonwealth Bank, Westpac Bank and National Australia Bank to provide access to banking services in Australian post offices

Gary Starr, Australia Post’s executive director general for business, government and international, was one of the key employees to be recognized with this gift

M Starr, also called to testify at the hearing, told the committee that he is not currently wearing the watch

Ms Holgate has defended the purchases, saying she did not use taxpayer money to buy the watches

« We are a commercial organization It was a recommendation from our chairman that these people be rewarded, » Ms. Holgate said

CFO Rodney Boys told the hearing he did not know which corporate credit card was used to purchase the watches

« I can’t [tell you] because I didn’t get this question today Australia Post has $ 7 4 billion spending We pay for these expenses and take great care of these expenses, » a declared M Boys

The most important news, analysis and information delivered to your inbox at the start and end of each day Sign up for the Sydney Morning Herald newsletter here and The Age newsletter here

Lisa Visentin is a federal political reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, which covers education and communications

Australia Post, Cartier, Christine Holgate