The head of one of Victoria’s most prominent industry groups has apologised to staff after making two comments that were perceived to be racially offensive by a colleague.
The staff member who made a formal complaint has since left the company. The senior employee, whose identityhas withheld for privacy reasons, quit partly in response to Hunter’s behaviour, two sources familiar with the episode confirmed. “That process has resulted in a number of appropriate consequences and actions, including the senior staff member taking responsibility and issuing a full apology.”after conversations with five people who either witnessed the comments or were told about what occurred at the gala dinner. They all spoke anonymously because of the matter’s sensitivity.Hunter’s comments seemed to be made in jest but were not received as being inoffensive.
There has been a considerable staff turnover at the Victorian branch recently, including the departure of two of Hunter’s deputy executive directors to rival organisations. The turnover is unrelated to Hunter’s comments.