White Ribbon Australia brand SA Water Minister Ian Hunter’s foul-mouthed tirade as deplorable

AN organisation Water Minister Ian Hunter was once an ambassador for has branded his foul-mouthed tirade at a female minister as deplorable.

SA Water Minister Ian Hunter Hunter’s outburst has since come to the attention of senior leadership at White Ribbon. Picture: MATT LOXTON

• Third complaint about Water Minister’s Ian Hunter behaviour
• SA Water Minister Ian Hunter in foul-mouthed tirade

WATER Minister Ian Hunter’s foul-mouthed tirade at a female minister has been branded deplorable by White Ribbon Australia, an organisation he formerly represented as an ambassador.

Mr Hunter repeatedly told state and federal ministers – including Deputy Prime Minister Minister Barnaby Joyce and Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville – to “f . . . off” in an Adelaide restaurant last week. South Australian senator Anne Ruston, who was at the dinner, made a formal complaint to Premier Jay Weatherill about his behaviour. Mr Hunter’s outburst has since come to the attention of senior leadership at White Ribbon, an organisation which highlights the role men can play to stop violence against women.

A spokeswoman for White Ribbon Australia said the organisation “deplores such conduct”. In an emailed statement, she said both the chair and chief executive of White Ribbon had been informed of the incident and planned to contact Mr Hunter and parties involved and “consider the implications further”.

A spokesman for Mr Hunter said he repeatedly denied using a particular word attributed to him – referring to claims he had called Ms Neville a “c . . .” . The spokesman said: “(Mr Hunter) has been a campaigner for social justice issues his whole life and his maiden speech to Parliament outlined his commitment to social justice and the importance of education. He is a passionate advocate for all South Australians.”

Mr Hunter was “sorry” for using “very strong language” during the meeting but defended his actions, saying he felt very strongly about standing up for South Australia.

Premier Jay Weatherill said he had “counselled” Mr Hunter and warned him to watch his language in future. The Advertiser understands Mr Hunter was an ambassador for White Ribbon from 2009 until September last year when the role lapsed. He did not renew the role after a new registration process was instituted.

Opposition Status of Women spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said organisations such as White Ribbon provided men with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership to other men in treating women with respect.

“(His) language towards a female colleague is shameful,” she said. “Given he holds a senior leadership position and is therefore a role model, he has an additional responsibility to behave very differently.”

The website for the Environment Department, for which Mr Hunter is responsible, states it is a supporter of the White Ribbon campaign.