Ousted Australia Post CEO wears white amid workplace bullying allegations

Ousted Australia Post boss Christine Holgate has delivered a rousing takedown of parliament in a Senate Inquiry today, all while wearing white, echoing the suffragette movement.

The British-born former head of the nation's postal service took aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison's controversial support of her removal from the position over what was branded the "Cartier watch saga", touching on the bullying and workplace harassment she endured.

Holgate told a Senate Committee she was "humiliated" and pushed out of her job, over a decision to gift luxury Cartier watches to four staff members late last year as a thanks for securing a lucrative deal.

READ MORE: Former Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate says she was 'bullied, humiliated' out of job

In response to Holgate's damning comments that targeted her "untested" dismissal, supporters of the businesswoman are wearing white in solidarity to display a "peaceful demonstration."

Hoping to stamp out workplace bullying as allegations of sexual assault and misconduct looming over every level of parliament, a campaign organised by licensed post officers encouraged Holgate's supports to sport the colour.

READ MORE: Australia Post names Woolworths executive Paul Graham as new CEO

Franchises of the post shared posters declaring: "Christine Holgate was bullied. It can happen to anyone. It can happen to you."

The movement comes after postal workers claimed Holgate's dismissal set a "dangerous precedent" that could ripple through the entire industry, considering she was stood down over "untested allegations."

The "Wear White 2 Unite" campaign's website says the colour has been "used for centuries to make a peaceful demonstration," and was first made famous by the suffragettes in the early 20th century.

"Their movement began to change the course of history for women," the website said, noting "as the movement spread, wearing white became an accessible way for anyone to join the cause."

READ MORE: Australia Post CEO's lawyers claim 'no reason' she should stand down

"By making a colour rather than a specific garment their key identifier, the suffragettes created a democratised uniform, meaning women of any race or economic status could afford to dress the part."

Holgate wore white to a Senate inquiry today.

During her speech, Holgate called out the Prime Minister's double standard.

"He has members of parliament accused of the most terrible atrocities to women. They are allowed to stand and represent in their jobs," she said.

"I was forced to stand down."

In a post to LinkedIn, the businesswoman wrote: "we are committed to stop bullying, intimidation and abuse in the workplace. I will be wearing white next week."

Holgate said this morning in an opening statement to the Senate committee she was illegally forced to step aside from her role.

"The simple truth is, I was bullied out of my job," she said.

"I was humiliated and driven to despair. I was thrown under the bus so the chairman of Australia Post could curry favour with his political masters. But I'm still here and I'm stronger for surviving it."

Holgate alleged Australia Post chairman Lucio Di Bartolomeo unlawfully stood her down to please the government.

Di Bartolomeo said in a statement last week the claims were not correct

In a statement Australia Post said it: "has received and carefully considered the correspondence from the Senate committee chair" and probed for more information about the concerns raised in the letter.

"Australia Post takes its responsibilities to Parliament extremely seriously, and we are cooperating with the Senate inquiry," the postal service said.

"We have taken a number of actions to remind our people of their obligations including a staff email referencing the key themes raised in the letter."

In October last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, "if she doesn't wish to stand aside, she can go," after it was revealed the organisation spent $12,000 rewarding executives with luxury watches.

An investigation by law firm Maddocks into the watch debacle found there was "contradictory evidence" over whether Holgate informed then chairman John Stanhope of the watch purchases.

The investigation revealed the gifts were "inconsistent with the obligation imposed by the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act relating to the proper use and management of public resources and was inconsistent with public expectations."

However, Maddocks concluded there were "there is no indication of dishonesty, fraud, corruption or intentional misuse of Australia Post funds by any individual involved in the matters relating to the purchase and gifting of the watches".