Property Council’s Victorian chief Danni Hunter resigns

Prominent business figure Danni Hunter says she is considering her future in the wake of her resignation after being accused of making racist comments at a gala dinner.

Danni Hunter, executive director of the Property Council of Australia’s Victorian division, has resigned. Picture: Tony Gough

Prominent business personality Danni Hunter has revealed she will be taking time off to consider her future career path and spend time with her kids, following her resignation from the Property Council.

As revealed by the Herald Sun on Tuesday night, Ms Hunter walked away from her role as the Victorian executive director of the peak advocacy group after a racism row.

On Wednesday, Ms Hunter took to social media to release a statement about her retirement decision.

“It will be no surprise to anyone that the events of recent weeks have been incredibly stressful and have greatly impacted me,” she said.

“As a result, I have made the difficult decision to resign my position as Victorian Executive Director of the Property Council.

“I’ll be taking some time off to consider my future career path and enjoy some overdue time as mum-on-duty.”

Ms Hunter thanked the Property Council’s Victoria team, as well as the Victorian Division Council and the broader membership base for the “opportunity to serve them over the past two years”.

“I’d also like to thank the Property Council of Australia in particular Ken Morrison, Jane Fitzgerald, Michael Zorbas and members of the Executive Team and the entire national team, for the privilege to work with them on behalf of our exceptional industry during a challenging and important period,” she added.

Ms Hunter apologised at an all staff meeting after an investigation was launched.

It comes just a week after whistleblowers from inside the peak advocacy group sensationally accused Ms Hunter of making racist comments.

Sources within the Property Council had sounded the alarm that Ms Hunter had not been at work this week.

In a statement on Tuesday night, the Property Council of Australia said: “Danni has made the decision to tender her resignation due to the stress and publicity that has surrounded recent events.”

“We thank Danni for her strong advocacy and contribution during her time with the organisation and wish her well for her future,” the organisation added.

Ms Hunter was accused of making racist comments at an industry awards night in June.

It prompted one colleague, who the Herald Sun has chosen not to name, to resign from the council in the days following the event.

One attendee, speaking confidentially to the Herald Sun, said Ms Hunter had initially refused requests to apologise for her comments.

“Danni had a tan for the ball and told a staff member that she needed lots more fake tans because she wanted to look Indian or Aboriginal,” one witness said.

“That team member asked for an apology but Danni refused.

“The team member quit a couple of days later and didn’t want to come back because of how she was made to feel.”

Ms Hunter later apologised at an all staff meeting.

The Property Council have maintained the complaint was taken “very seriously” despite frustration and anger from some within the organisation about how the matter was handled.

The Property Council’s ACT executive director Adina Cirson has been appointed acting Victorian executive director for an interim period and will commence in the role on Monday 8 August in Melbourne.

The recruitment process for the position will commence shortly.

Originally published as Property Council’s Victorian chief Danni Hunter resigns