Katherine mayor labels Greg Hunt ‘misogynist’ after f-bomb tirade

THE 71-YEAR-OLD mayor of Katherine labelled the federal Health Minister Greg Hunt a ‘misogynist’ after he issued a grovelling public apology after swearing at her. READ THE LETTERS HERE

ROB HARRIS

3 min read

May 31, 2018 - 10:47AM

Fay Miller labels Greg Hunt MP a ' misogynist' (ABC)

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THE MAYOR of Katherine has labelled Greg Hunt a “misogynist” for unleasing a torrent of expletives at her and physically intimidated her in a meeting.

Grandmother Fay Miller, the mayor of Katherine in the Northern Territory, and a former Country Liberal MP, says that at a private meeting last December, Mr Hunt told her she had to “f---ing get over” herself, and he’d been warned she was “feisty”.

The 71-year-old said he leaned towards her, “pointed aggressively” in her face, said she needed to make NT senator Nigel Scullion her “f---ing best friend”, and then continued to swear.

The mayor said this morning that she thought his attitude was “misogynist” and she was shocked by the remarks.

“I didn’t move because I have to say I was absolutely gobsmacked,” Ms Miller said.

It comes after Mr Hunt fronted cameras at Parliament House in Canberra this morning to issue a public apology.

After yesterday issuing a private apology, Mr Hunt fronted cameras at Parliament House in Canberra this morning to make a public apology to Ms Miller.

“I have apologised to the mayor of Katherine. And today I want to repeat that apology publicly and sincerely and absolutely. It was my fault and my responsibility and I accept that.

“And I think it’s important for me to both repeat that I have apologised to the mayor but to repeat that apology publicly.”

Mr Hunt also said he “should have apologised earlier”.

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Documents for the Greg Hunt story. Picture; Supplied

Ms Miller has since written twice to the minister, the member for the Victorian seat of Flinders, seeking an explanation and an apology. Earlier this month, she also wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office, detailing her claims.

For six months, no admission or apology was made.

However yesterday, two hours after the Herald Sun put detailed questions to the offices of the minister and the Prime Minister, Mr Hunt contacted Ms Miller and issued what was described as a “sincere and genuine” apology.

Documents for the Greg Hunt story. Picture; Supplied

In a later statement to the Herald Sun, Mr Hunt’s spokesman said: “The minister has apologised directly to the mayor for any language which may have caused offence.”

But his office categorically denied he had behaved aggressively, saying “strong opinions were raised on both sides” during a “spirited meeting”.

Documents for the Greg Hunt story. Picture; Supplied

After taking Wednesday’s call, Ms Miller told the Herald Sun: “I am extremely disappointed that Minister Hunt has a selective memory.

“I’ve been around long enough not to be shaken, but to say I was shocked is a complete understatement.

“I will not accept or tolerate being treated so boorishly and arrogantly by anyone, let alone a minister of the Crown. I assume if he has done it to me — someone with no history with him at all — he would have treated others this way.”

Katherine mayor Fay Miller.

Ms Miller was leading a delegation to Canberra, to discuss a health package for Katherine following PFAS chemical contamination from nearby RAAF Base Tindal, when she met Mr Hunt on December 6 last year.

The meeting was attended by council chief executive Rob Jennings and a complainant, Anthony Bartlett.

Mr Jennings told the Herald Sun: “I have to stand up for the truth … Fay’s account of the events is totally factual and correct.”

Mr Bartlett did not dispute Ms Miller’s account, but declined to comment.

Ms Miller first wrote to Mr Hunt to request a written apology back in December.

The Herald Sun obtained letters between them, in which she detailed her account of the December 6 meeting.

The correspondence also copied in Senator Scullion and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Ms Miller said Mr Hunt had recommended she take up the contamination problem with Senator Scullion, a CLP members, and she replied that while the senator regularly visited Katherine, she did not see him.

She alleges Mr Hunt then “flipped his lid”, put his chair directly before her, and leaned forward to unleash abuse.

Mr Hunt’s spokesman said the minister had apologised directly to the mayor for any language that may have caused offence, but Mr Hunt “respectfully disagrees” with a number of claims, in particular of any aggressive behaviour. “This is also supported by the principal adviser who was present.”