Was former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate correct when she said taxpayers’ money wasn’t used to purchase Cartier watches?

The claim

With the budget mired in debt and deficit, fresh questions are being asked about whether governments and the companies they own are spending the public’s money diligently.

Christine Holgate recently resigned as chief executive of Australia Post, conceding a decision to reward four senior employees with Cartier watches did not pass the “pub test”.

Ms Holgate had earlier defended the purchase of the watches on a corporate credit card while giving evidence to a Senate committee.

“I have not used taxpayers’ money,” Ms Holgate said.

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Is it correct that the purchase of the Cartier watches did not involve the use of taxpayers’ money? RMIT ABC Fact Check investigates.

The verdict

The question of whether the purchase of the watches…