'A lot of people will scratch their heads': Australia Post's extravagant salaries revealed

The extravagant salaries of Australia Post’s senior executives have been revealed, with parliament insisting there are no compelling reasons for them to be hidden from public scrutiny.

Documents published on Tuesday showed managing director Ahmed Fahour received a $4.4 million salary and a $1.2m bonus last financial year, more than 10 times the salary of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

A further five executives earned between $1.8m and $1.3m.

After learning of the substantial pay packets, Prime Minister Turnbull said he didn't believe their roles warranted such high remuneration.

"I think that renumeration is too high," he told reporters in Canberra.

Ahmed Fahour received a $4.4m salary and a $1.2m bonus in 2016.

It was decided that the Australia Post executives' salaries should not be immune to public scrutiny. Source:

"In my view, I say this as someone who spent most of his life in the business world before I came into politics, I think it is a very big salary for that job."

In a chain of correspondence since a Senate estimates hearing in October, Australia Post argued the individuals may become targets for unwarranted media attention and it may lead to brand damage for the government-owned business.

Australia Post was happy to release the information confidentially, but did not want it to be released publicly.

But head of a Senate's committee, Senator James Paterson, wrote to the company on Tuesday informing them the documents would be publicly released.

"Any potential issues of personal safety and security do not appear to be compelling reasons to withhold publication," he said.

Senator Paterson said Mr Fahour's salary makes him effectively the nation's highest paid public servant.

Australia Post managing director and group chief executive Ahmed Fahour (left) and Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce posing in Sydney.

"We think that's not information that should be withheld from taxpayers," he told ABC radio.

Crossbench senator Nick Xenophon praised Senator Paterson for insisting the salaries be disclosed, acknowledging the considerable difference between their salaries and that of the Prime Minister.

"I think a lot of people will scratch their heads on that one," he told ABC TV.

Today's top news stories - February 8