Paul Fletcher says NBN Co was free to award $77.5m in bonuses under the rules covering government-owned businesses. Is he correct?

The claim

With the economy and the Federal Budget under pressure, the business enterprises that the Government owns on behalf of the public are facing ongoing scrutiny — particularly over bonuses handed to senior staff.

Late last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out at former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate after it emerged four senior employees had been rewarded with Cartier watches worth a total of $19,950.

But the Government took a different tack after recent reports NBN Co paid $77.5 million in bonuses over five months during the pandemic-stricken second half of 2020 — about $34 million more than the entire 2018-19 financial year.

Asked by ABC Radio National host Fran Kelly how the bonuses could be…