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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 humourous 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 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.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.