Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister for communications. Why was $12,000 of taxpayers' money spent on four Cartier watches for Australia Post executives?

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do thank the shadow minister for her question. I was as shocked and concerned as everybody else to discover this when it was revealed in estimates this morning. I have spoken to the chair of Australia Post. I've explained that the government's view is that the boards and managements of government business enterprises need to take great care with taxpayers' money. They need to take great care with taxpayers' money. I have informed the chair of Australia Post that the shareholder—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left!

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

ministers have asked our respective departments to carry out an investigation into this matter, and I've asked the chair to provide the full support of the company for this investigation. I've also asked the chair to inform the chief executive that she will be asked to stand aside during the course of this investigation. This is a matter which the government takes very seriously.

An opposition member: What about the board?

We expect the board and management of government business enterprises to deal with taxpayers' money with scrupulous care, and that is what this investigation will be focused on, and it will examine the conduct of all involved in how this matter occurred.