Safer workplace advocate Christine Holgate is the national recipient of 2022’s Excellence in Women’s Leadership award.
The Toll Global Express CEO, who previously served at the helm of Australia Post, will accept the accolade at Canberra’s Australian Women’s Leadership Symposium in May.
Holgate has appeared on several boards and executive teams in recent years, including as CEO for Aussie health supplements firm Blackmores.
She’s currently the co-chair of the federal Ministerial Advisory Council for Trade and is a Collingwood Football Club director.
"Outstanding contribution to gender equity"
Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) said Holgate amassed widespread recognition for her determination, resilience and agency in bringing gender inequity issues to the national conversation.
“We are delighted to award the national honour to Ms Holgate, who continues to demonstrate an outstanding contribution to gender equity and paving the way for emerging women in leadership roles — both in Australia and on an international scale,” WLA CEO Suzi Finkelstein said.
“Under intense public scrutiny, pressure and attention, Ms Holgate stood strong in her convictions and courageously spoke out against unlawful inequities and bullying.
“She has since displayed unwavering strength and resilience to re-establish herself as one of Australia’s most inspiring leaders,” she concluded.
In 2020, Holgate departed Australia Post after a series of executive bonuses attracted political furore.
At the time, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Holgate had been instructed to step aside during an investigation into the bonuses, and that “if she doesn’t wish to do that, she can go”.
Fronting a Senate inquiry in April, Holgate said she was humiliated by the PM and bullied by Australia Post chair Lucio Di Bartolomeo, pushing her to resign from her post and “seriously threaten[ing]” her health.
“I do not want what happened to me to happen to any individual ever again, in any workplace,” she stated at the time.
"Among the hardships, we witnessed women come together"
Holgate remains a fierce campaigner for safer, more respectful and more equitable workplaces, and she spoke about how her experience shaped her advocacy.
“I am truly humbled and proud to receive this award amongst so many inspiring female leaders,” Holgate said on Wednesday.
“The last 12 months have been a very challenging period for many women. Among the hardships, we witnessed women come together, stand up and speak out, exposing the harassment, discrimination, and intimidation of women, of all ages, occupations, and beliefs in our country.
“After years of reviews, committees and promises, we are still not progressing and in many instances, the statistics have deteriorated. The number of women feeling harassed, the number of women assaulted and the number of women made economically vulnerable have all increased through COVID, and it’s not just the numbers, too often the severity has also increased."
Ultimately, Holgate says much more work needs to be done if we are to secure a safe, respectful and equitable society.
“It is critical we implement all 55 of the recommendations from Kate Jenkin’s Respect@Work report to ensure women can go to work and feel safe,” she continued.
“I am passionate about advocating for more respectful workplaces and I will stand behind the women who are calling out inequality, harassment and bullying when they see it.
“I owe this to the many thousands of people who stood behind me when I needed the support, and I owe it to the next generation to ensure that what I experienced, doesn’t happen to others,” Holgate concluded.