Federal Government report shows former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate did not have board approval for Cartier watch gifts

Giving four luxury watches to Australia Post executives was inconsistent with the proper use of public money, a previously secret report has found.

Former Australia Post chief executive Christine Holgate resigned in November last year after Federal Government criticism of her.

The report, released late today by the Federal Government, finds no evidence of fraud or corruption in relation to the purchase and gifting of the watches, which were worth almost $20,000.

But it says the Australia Post board did not have any policies which would support rewarding executives with items like Cartier watches.

It says the purchase of the watches was inconsistent with the obligations of the public governance legislation in relation to the proper use and…