Poor timing: Cartier meets Australia Post

Seemingly forgotten in the Cartier storm are other aspects of Holgate's tenure: arriving at Australia Post with a fifth of the pay given to her predecessor Ahmed Fahour, whose total salary package in 2016 was AU$5.6 million; the Bank@Post deal, which was manna from heaven to licensed post office work. Angela Cramp of the LPO Group, a body representing postal franchisees, went so far as to suggest that the "deal saved the licensed post office network." Franchisees providing banking services in rural and regional areas had been previously short changed by the banks, who not only felt it decent to close their branches in those areas but inadequately pay post office branches for supplying substitute services. "We were in jeopardy of closing down across the country."

Holgate has a few defenders, though they do come with a tarnishing. Eddie McGuire, president of the Collingwood football club, spoke highly of the chief executive, who also happens to be a board member of the club. "Why do we go and get superstar, business people to run public entities, and then try and make them play like dullards?"

Holgate has made her share of enemies, and this presented an opportunity. The language she used at the Estimates hearing was telling, confusing that of greater corporate freedom with the often hypocritical values of public service reserve. She did not regard the $60 million spent in bonuses as "bonuses" at all, as they were shared between 2,500 staff facing the increased volume of mail deliveries during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Some 34,500 frontline workers had also received "thank you" payments of AU$600, totalling AU$AU27 million.

This did not prevent such observations as those of Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who pointed an accusing finger at Australia Post for profiteering from the pandemic. The sticks and kindling have been brought out and a burning is expected. No gender defenders are expected this time.