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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/27/joe-hockeys-office-denies-satirist-david-hunt-speechwriter
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Joe Hockey's office denies it has hired satirist David Hunt as speechwriter | Joe Hockey's office denies it has hired satirist David Hunt as speechwriter |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Joe Hockey has not hired author and satirist David Hunt as speechwriter, contrary to reports, according to both parties. | Joe Hockey has not hired author and satirist David Hunt as speechwriter, contrary to reports, according to both parties. |
The treasurer met with Hunt, writer of the humorous historical book, Girt: the Unauthorised History of Australia, and the two had “discussions” but no contracts were signed and no hires were made, a spokeswoman for Hockey told Guardian Australia. | |
The clarification comes despite comments made to Fairfax that Hunt “is being engaged for his writing skills” and that Hockey believes Hunt “will be a great person to work with.” | The clarification comes despite comments made to Fairfax that Hunt “is being engaged for his writing skills” and that Hockey believes Hunt “will be a great person to work with.” |
The spokeswoman did not deny a job offer to Hunt was made, but said the office had not hired anyone as speechwriter. | The spokeswoman did not deny a job offer to Hunt was made, but said the office had not hired anyone as speechwriter. |
Hockey has been under pressure in recent weeks over public statements he has made while trying to sell the controversial federal budget. | Hockey has been under pressure in recent weeks over public statements he has made while trying to sell the controversial federal budget. |
In response to the media reports that he had been hired as a speechwriter, Hunt tweeted on Wednesday morning, confirming that he had met with Hockey but that was as far as the meeting went. | In response to the media reports that he had been hired as a speechwriter, Hunt tweeted on Wednesday morning, confirming that he had met with Hockey but that was as far as the meeting went. |
“I met with @JoeHockey. We had a coffee and a chat. I liked him. I also liked the coffee. I am not his speechwriter, or indeed anyone elses.” | |
I met with @JoeHockey. We had a coffee and a chat. I liked him. I also liked the coffee. I am not his speechwriter, or indeed anyone elses. | I met with @JoeHockey. We had a coffee and a chat. I liked him. I also liked the coffee. I am not his speechwriter, or indeed anyone elses. |
Hunt has been critical of Coalition policies, including budget cuts to health, a point that was put to Hockey by Fairfax media. | Hunt has been critical of Coalition policies, including budget cuts to health, a point that was put to Hockey by Fairfax media. |
A spokesperson for Hockey told Fairfax Hunt was “not being engaged for his policy advice, he is being engaged for his writing skills”. | A spokesperson for Hockey told Fairfax Hunt was “not being engaged for his policy advice, he is being engaged for his writing skills”. |
“I was really impressed with Girt, he’s obviously a brilliant writer. He also has public service experience and I believe he will be a great person to work with,” Fairfax quotes Hockey as saying. | “I was really impressed with Girt, he’s obviously a brilliant writer. He also has public service experience and I believe he will be a great person to work with,” Fairfax quotes Hockey as saying. |
Hunt declined to comment. | Hunt declined to comment. |