Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham

We acknowledge that the Australia Post Board has today accepted the resignation of Christine Holgate as CEO and a director, effective immediately.

As Shareholder Ministers, we thank Ms Holgate for her service over the past three years.

Under Ms Holgate’s leadership, Australia Post has risen to the challenge of the enormous increase in parcel volumes that accompanied the COVID-19 crisis. Ms Holgate has also driven important reforms at Australia Post that have resulted in more sustainable arrangements for Licensed Post Offices and their franchisees.

Ms Holgate has confirmed that she remains available to assist the investigation into Australia Post’s governance arrangements and corporate culture concerning the proper use and management of public resources being undertaken by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Department of Finance. The Government will consider the findings of the investigation in due course.

We thank the hardworking front line staff of Australia Post — including the posties on their rounds, the line haul drivers, the staff working in the over 4,000 post offices around the country and those working in parcel and sorting facilities — for their ongoing commitment to serving Australians during a particularly challenging year.

footnote: The original version of this release inaccurately stated the total number of Australia Post offices.