Advertisement

‘Blatantly provocative’: PM slammed over timing of announcement of new Aust Post CEO

Submissions highlighted support to letter delivery changes. Photo: AAP

Submissions highlighted support to letter delivery changes. Photo: AAP Photo: AAP

Scott Morrison has been slammed for announcing the appointment of a new Australia Post chief executive, just as Christine Holgate prepares to give evidence about her bitterly contested departure.

Australia Post has named Woolworths supply chain boss Paul Graham as its new chief executive, five months after Ms Holgate quit over a luxury watch expenses scandal.

Mr Graham has worked in digital marketing and retail across Australia, Europe and Asia for 40 years, including as a senior executive at Deutsche Post DHL.

“Paul has a demonstrated track record of delivering results in large, complex organisations and is a proven leader managing large teams,” Australia Post chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo said on Monday.

Mr Graham will assume the role in September.

His annual salary has been set at $1.46 million, with the potential to double his pay through bonuses.

The announcement comes on the eve of a Senate inquiry into Australia Post, with Ms Holgate and Mr Di Bartolomeo both due to give evidence.

Announcement ‘blatantly provocative’

Labor communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said the inquiry-eve timing of the announcement showed the prime minister and communications minister had “lost their collective marbles”.

“Why was an appointment announced in panic today [Monday] when the incoming CEO won’t be commencing until September 2021?” she told AAP.

“For the timing to be so blatantly provocative is not only disrespectful to the incoming CEO Mr Graham but shows Scott Morrison remains entirely consumed by short-term political management.”

In an excoriating statement, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said the timing was an unmistakeable contempt of the process.

“The announcement of a new Australia Post chief executive and managing director today shows absolute arrogance on behalf of the prime minister and two of his most senior ministers,” Senator Hanson said.

“Scott Morrison is attempting to deliberately destabilise witnesses ahead of tomorrow’s [Tuesday’s] Senate inquiry.”

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who is chairing the Australia Post inquiry, also joined the pile-on.

“While the matter of the termination of Ms Holgate’s employment is before a Senate inquiry, the appointment of a new CEO is inappropriate and seeks to undermine the Senate inquiry process,” she said.

Shareholder ministers Simon Birmingham and Paul Fletcher welcomed the appointment.

“We trust Mr Graham will provide strong direction and leadership as Australia Post continues to deliver record numbers of parcels, even with border closures and ongoing logistical challenges,” they said.

“His experience in building global logistics operations will also prove invaluable to local exporters, as Australia Post continues to invest in supply chains that connect Australian businesses to customers in new markets around the world.”

The pair also thanked Ms Holgate for her service to Australia Post.

Ms Holgate claims she was humiliated and “thrown under the bus” over the Cartier watches furore.

-AAP

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.