Paul Fletcher breaks silence on Holgate saga and derides ‘re-writing of history’

EXCLUSIVE: Communications Minister Paul Fletcher has broken his silence on the Christine Holgate saga and told Sky News there has been a “lot of re-writing of history” over the last 24-hours.

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate revealed to Senate estimates in October that she had awarded Cartier watches as bonuses to four executives, prompting an independent review by law firm Maddocks, and a Senate Inquiry.

Ms Holgate told a Senate inquiry on Tuesday that she did not resign from her role as chief executive but was “bullied” out.

Mr Fletcher said that the former chief executive resigned via a letter to the board at around 10:30am on November 2.

“There’s no factual questioning that Ms Holgate has resigned,” Mr Fletcher said.

Ms Holgate told the Senate inquiry into the Cartier watch scandal and her exit from Australia Post, that she was “unlawfully stood down” and her contract was “repudiated”.

The communications minister also said interpretations that the Maddocks' report found no wrongdoing were “not correct”.

“It’s not correct to say that did not find issues, in fact it found serious issues,” he said.

“It found very specifically that the rewarding of $20,000 worth of watches, of luxury watches, was inconsistent with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act.

“There’s been a lot of re-writing of history over the last 24 hours. There was a full inquiry and it found that that behavior was inconsistent with the act.”

Ms Holgate will appear on Sky News with Peta Credlin to discuss these issues tonight.

[gregrodgers]

This man Fletcher spent 30 million dollars on a piece of land worth 3 million dollars, how come he isn't being stood down for wasting the peoples public money??
The PM needs to apologies and so too does this bloke. Fletcher spent 1.4 million dollars on a report regards Christine Holgate and it would appear that he hasn't even read it, SHAME.

[richardcreagh]

I think this mob have treated a great Australian in the most dispicable manner and I hope the Australian people show their voice at the next election

[zaneaussie]

A resignation under duress is not a resignation at all. Under Australian law it's called a constructive dismissal and Australia post are clearly liable! On top of that it was a draft that was leaked? leaked by who??? So the chair swears under oath that our communications minister requested Holgate to stand down and Mr Fletcher denies it outright..someone is lying!!! In my experience these things always come from the top down. Perhaps further questioning under oath should take place for Mr Fletcher or perhaps some in depth investigation of the chairs personal finances! Really great interview @sky news. There where certainly some hardball questions put to the minister. Ross Greenwood is in fine form!

[darrylborghero]

Quote Paul Fletcher, " She (Christine Holgate) was an effective 'chair' of Australia Post."
And this bloke is in our government!

[sunnyexposure]

Fletcher is an embaressment, Scott Morrison is an embaressment, and Lucio Di Bartolomeo is sad, pitiful man. Apologise & return Christine Holgate to CEO of Australia Post asap.

[shouldveknownbetta]

Great questioning Ross Greenwood. Very informative.

[fsmilejerairlellwoll]

well, obviously they sacked her so they can sell off the parcels business. and the taxpayer owned bank. great leadership in this country again here.

[SandraDelesalle]

Lies and more lies..how do these people like themselves or live there lives morally...disgusting

[StepWright]

Hahaha, the communication minister Is laughable He couldn’t talk his way out of a paper bag

[mclanaford]

Reinstate Christine Holgate Or better still as prime minister. With Pauline Hanson

[robmanzoni]

This guy has clearly been trained by Justin Trudeau...

[keithkerr]

. He should be sacked. If he does not get sacked then bring on an unlawful dismissal claim in the courts. The problem here is he is twisting words to protect himself If they were to review the telephone conversations that took place it would clear this disgusting act by revealing the truth. Then watch them duck for cover. Politicians are not above the law Misslaeding statements are common but this is definitely not fair what he is doing to protect himself and Scott Morrison.

[mspenelope]

Holgate resigned under duress - she’s explained she was threatened by execs to make her do it.

[sonjakozman]

Oh damn, I actually have held Fletcher in a high regard. Certainly the best that the LNP has to offer.

[edkaym]

This grub should be in gaol. Where’s our 27 Million Dollars, that he gave to his mates, for a 3 Million Dollar block of land ?

[brianterence]

I supported Labor until Julia Gillard was installed along with her feminists mates... by a coup. ( At the time I note the GG was female The PM was female and the AG was female Fair Work Australia and the Family Court were both overwhelming
staffed by females ) I had previously supported Tony Abbott because he was a dedicated family man as is Scot Morrison
Now, after the Holgate saga, I am looking elsewhere and I suspect many other Australians feel the same way.

I am looking for honest people, like Holgate, who have Australia's best interest at heart.

[mspenelope]

See DHL guy coming in... to divest the parcel devision. $700 million on NBN execs is appropriate spending?

[jcee]

The self righteous patronising attitude this bloke has is sickening.

[davidsimons]

Anticipating same standards applied to St Basils nursing home rort totaling tens of millions of tax payer dollars.

[sideramet]

I love the comments section 😊. People insist on voting for these two ( morally bankrupt and corrupt parties) and then complain about their behavior/failings. 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆.
maybe one of these two inept parties will be different next election😆😆😆😆😆
I