The governor general has apologized for appearing in a video promoting the services of a Canberra builder, and has admitted that he “made a mistake”.
Key points:
- David and Linda Hurley appeared in a testimonial video praising the work of the builder who renovated their private home.
- General Hurley insists he received no benefit for appearing in the video
- Since then, the video has been removed from the company’s social media pages
David Hurley and his wife Linda appeared in a video posted on social media about the work of builder Brendan Howe, who completed a luxury renovation at the couple’s private residence in Canberra.
“We have been working with Brendan for about 18 months and we are very pleased with the result and the final product and throughout the time we have had a very positive and constructive relationship. Brendan has always been very professional,” he said. Hurley in the video, posted on Instagram in December 2020.
The video, which has since been removed, identified the project as “Extension for Governor General David and Linda Hurley.”
It was accompanied by a message of thanks from the construction company.
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“It was truly a great honor and privilege to build and expand the Governor General’s private ACT residence,” the publication said.
In a statement, General Hurley said he did not know the video would be made public.
“I made a mistake in accepting, as a hope for a happy moment, to express my gratitude for the builder in a video and photos,” he said.
“I apologize for my mistake.”
General Hurley is entitled to two luxurious taxpayer residences, one in Sydney and one in Canberra.
He also earns a salary of about $ 425,000 a year.
A Canberra architect posted on Facebook the success they had with the renovation of David and Linda Hurley. (Facebook)
An architecture firm also posted the photo of the Hurleys in a post that says the renovation cost more than a million dollars and won an award.
General Hurley insisted he received “no benefit of any kind” to appear in the video.
“My words were not intended to be used in direct commercial advertising and should not have referred to my appointment,” he said.
“However, I should have checked that my guide has been followed accurately. I have asked the builder to remove all material related to my comments.”
General Hurley sparked controversy earlier this year after it was revealed that he had put personal pressure on then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison on a leadership program to which he was later allocated more than $ 18 million in federal funding. .
Then, in opposition, Labor questioned the integrity of the agreement.
Labor MP Julian Hill said General Hurley had done the right thing by apologizing.
“It’s okay for the governor general to apologize, but the incident shouldn’t have happened,” he said.
“[It’s] clearly a misjudgment, but it is not a penca crime. He is a decent and upright man [and it] it will not happen again “.
Posted 6 hours 6 hours agoDmec. June 29, 2022 at 12:03 am, updated 4 hours agoTuesday, June 29, 2022 at 1:21 AM