Australia Post has asked its Melbourne staff to volunteer as posties in their own cars to meet demand for deliveries.Credit:Louise Kennerley
The call to arms to employees coincides with the organisation's managing director Christine Holgate softening the ground for her executive team to accept personal bonuses,despite offering to forgo the special payments earlier this year ahead of the looming COVID-19-induced recession.
The potential backdown on executive pay has enraged many within the Morrison government,which has already put a freeze on any pay increases of MPs,judges and senior public servants against a backdrop of rising unemployment across the country.
Federal Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said Ms Holgate had committed that the executive team would forego their right to bonuses for the 2019-20 financial year"in light of the impact of COVID-19".
He said at the request of Australia Post,the government had temporarily provided regulatory relief to support it to continue providing critical postal services for all Australians throughout the crisis.
"Our government has honoured its commitment. The government expects Australia Post’s executive team to honour its commitment,"Mr Fletcher toldThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age.
Ms Holgate,who was paid $2.5 million last year as the nation's highest earning civil servant,is estimated to be in line for a $1 million-plus bonus while other executives could take home up to $600,000.
Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate was paid $2.5 million last year as the nation's highest earning civil servant.Credit:Peter Rae