A parliamentary committee report looking at the circumstances surrounding the decision to stand down former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate has been delayed.

The report was due to be released on Tuesday, but will now be tabled in parliament on Wednesday afternoon to allow the committee more time to consider evidence.

A Senate committee has been looking at what led to the ministerial direction to the chair of Australia Post on October 22 last year that Ms Holgate be stood down, pending an investigation into her gifting in 2018 of luxury Cartier watches worth $20,000 to four managers.

The managers were being thanked for securing a $225 million investment into the government-owned business.

The inquiry took evidence on whether the then Australia Post chair knew about the watches, whether the gifts were within the rules, and how they compared with bonuses given within other government-owned corporations.

It also examined issues around the future of Australia Post’s services.

Ms Holgate claims she was bullied and unlawfully stood aside.

Australia Post’s lawyers have conditionally agreed to participate in mediation with Ms Holgate.

The government has consistently argued the acrimonious departure is a matter to be resolved between Ms Holgate and Australia Post.

Ms Holgate has since joined Toll Global Express as the new chief executive, intending to grow its sales and delivery operations in competition with her old employer.

“I want us all to heal now and move forward,” she said at the time of the appointment.

-AAP