Ms Catherine King (Ballarat, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Medicare) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. It's reported the Prime Minister's office dismissed the health minister's reported torrent of expletives and physical intimidation of a 71-year-old grandmother as a 'private matter'. Is this Prime Minister really so arrogant that he's willing to dismiss his minister's reported torrent of expletives and physical intimidation of a grandmother as a purely private matter? How could it possibly be private when he met a mayor about a community health matter on a sitting day in Canberra?

Government Members:

Government members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just before I call the Prime Minister, the member for Goldstein is warned—as he was yesterday—as is the member for La Trobe. I only just managed to hear that question. The Prime Minister has the call.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The report the honourable member refers to is untrue. The Minister for Health, however, wishes to complete the answer to the question.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to make two statements. Firstly, in December I did meet with a delegation from Katherine. I believe there were three members in that delegation; there were two members of my office, including myself. During the course of the conversation I used strong language. 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.

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lingiari is warned.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think it's important for me to repeat that I have apologised to the mayor, and to repeat that apology publicly: my fault; my responsibility. The matter was raised, I believe, at the time that the Prime Minister's office received material. They acted immediately. I took too long. My fault; my responsibility.