Greg Hunt apologises for foul-mouthed tirade

Greg Hunt has been forced to apologise for unleashing a torrent of expletive-laden abuse at a 71-year-old grandmother.

Health Minister Greg Hunt. Picture: AAP

Health Minister Greg Hunt has apologised for unleashing a torrent of expletive-laden abuse at a 71-year-old grandmother, six-months after the event.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller, a former Northern Territory Country Liberal MP, told the Herald Sun that Mr Hunt told her she had to “f..king get over” herself, allegedly physically intimidating her during a private meeting in December.

Ms Miller said Mr Hunt leaned towards her, “pointed aggressively” in her face, said she needed to make NT senator Nigel Scullion her “f..king best friend”, and continued to swear.

She has since written to Mr Hunt twice, requesting an explanation and an apology, as well as last month writing to the Prime Minister’s Office detailing the incident.

Katherine Mayor Fay Miller. Picture: Keri Megelus

Until yesterday, two hours after the Herald Sun put detailed questions to the office of the cabinet minister and member for the Victorian Mornington Peninsula seat of Flinders, and to the Prime Minister, she had received no response.

Following the inquiries, Mr Hunt contacted Ms Miller with what was described as a “sincere and genuine” apology.

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

The spokesman denied Mr Hunt had behaved aggressively, saying “strong opinions were raised on both sides” during a “spirited meeting”.

Ms Miller told the Herald Sun she was still “extremely disappointed”, accusing Mr Hunt of having a “selective memory”.

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

“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.”

Ms Miller had been in Canberra to discuss a health package for Katherine following a chemical contamination from RAAF Base Tindal during the December 6 meeting with Mr Hunt.