Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate has given evidence to a Senate inquiry into her dramatic exit from Australia Post.
Holgate left her position last year, when the prime minister denounced her in parliament for giving Cartier watches as rewards to Australia Post executives.
Victim of a hit job, Holgate inflicted damaging hits of her own – delivering blows against Scott Morrison and Australia Post chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo, and following up her evidence with a media blitz.
She accuses Morrison of bullying and says Di Bartolomeo should resign.
Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan, who sat in on her appearance, also believes Di Bartolomeo should go.
“The CEO of Australia Post, just like any government organisation, is not appointed by the minister or the government. The government appoints a board and then the board, under the chair’s direction, hires a CEO.
"The big main job of the chair is to find a good CEO and give them good direction. And that hasn’t occurred here.
"And I think, therefore, the buck must stop with Lucio.”
Despite this, Canavan doesn’t believe an apology is owed by the prime minister for his “parliamentary reaction”, as it was “understandable and everyone had a similiar reaction”. An apology is required from the government, however, for the “dismount, how we’ve handedled the situation post the initial scandal”.
Canavan belongs to the group within the Nationals known for being pro-coal, stirring the pot, and putting pressure on leader Michael McCormack. On this podcast, he discusses the Nationals’ election prospects, as well as the possible return to parliament of former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister John Anderson, who is seeking preselection for a Sneate run.
“[John Anderson is] making a major contribution to the intellectual richness of our country[…] he’s quite a thought leader. I think having the platform of the Senate would amplify that voice a bit. I think he’d also play a very stabilising and educating sort of role in our party room.”
ACTU president Michele O'Neil on John Setka and the government’s anti-union legislation
Corrected version: Richard Eccleston on the electoral mood in Tasmania
Tim Colebatch on the battle in Victoria - and the Senate
William Bowe on the state of election play in WA
Andrew Hughes on political advertising - and Clive Palmer
Caroline Fisher on the spin machines of #AusVotes19
Jim Chalmers on Labor’s budget reaction
Peter Martin and Tim Colebatch on budget strategy and numbers
Jenny Macklin on inequality and Labor values
Ian McAllister on voters and issues in the coming election
Tony Abbott and Zali Steggall on Warringah votes
Kerryn Phelps on medical transfer numbers
Michael McCormack on banks and the bush, and the election battle
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tanya Plibersek on a united Labor
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anthony Albanese on Labor’s road ahead
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Josh Frydenberg on Liberal troubles
Lowy Institute’s Jonathan Pryke on APEC 2018
Andrew Giles on the growing issue of loneliness
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers on #MeToo and women in politics
Satirist Jonathan Biggins on sending up the pollies
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