A Port Augusta firefighter has spoken out about text messages sent by South Australia's Deputy Premier, asking her to "spare a thought" for a former colleague who physically shoved her at work.
In 2018, the SA Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) Disciplinary Committee found a senior Port Augusta firefighter had behaved in an "intimidating manner" when he grabbed the back of Kim Quinn's neck and pushed her head towards the ground in a shed at the fire station.
"I don't quite understand what he was thinking or why he did it, we had no personal relationship on any level," Ms Quinn said of the incident.
"It was completely uninvited."
The man was fired in December 2020 but appealed his dismissal in the South Australian Employment Tribunal, arguing the incident did not happen, or if it did, it was "ill-thought-out horseplay".
That appeal was quashed on Monday, with the tribunal finding his misconduct was "very serious" and that dismissal was suitable.
On Tuesday, Ms Quinn received a "surprising" text message from South Australia's Deputy Premier – and her local MP – Dan van Holst Pellekaan.
"Saw the decision came your way – no doubt you're very relieved," he wrote.
"While of course you're not friends and I don't suggest that should change, please spare a thought for [him].
The Member for Stuart's relationship to both parties in the matter is unclear, with a senior Liberal Party adviser describing them only as Mr van Holst Pellekaan's "constituents".
Ms Quinn said she "couldn't believe" the Deputy Premier had texted her and denied having any prior contact with him.
Ms Quinn said she was not a member of either major political party and did not wish to make the incident "political".
"I don't have anything bad to say about [Mr van Holst Pellekaan] as a person but … to reference the perpetrator's mental health to me … I don't think he realised the toll that would take on me.
"I shouldn't have to worry about that."
Ms Quinn said she was also seeking an apology from the MFS for their treatment of her at the time of the incident, and in the three years since.
She was dismissed by the MFS due to "lack of attendance" one day after the hearing, and is appealing that decision.
The MFS said it was not in a position to comment, since the matter was before the state's Employment Tribunal.
Minister seeks to clarify text
The ABC has obtained a recording of a voicemail Mr van Holst Pellekaan left the woman later on Tuesday, after he was informed she felt he was "siding" with the sacked firefighter.
"The text I sent you, I worded it clumsily. I'm pleased for you that you got the result you were hoping for…" he said.
"I was just saying, just spare a thought for him, even people who act incredibly, incredibly tough can succumb to self-doubts and all kinds of things.
The messages were sent on International Women's Day.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said he reached out "in support of a constituent in a very difficult time for her".
"In no way do I condone that type of behaviour," he said.
In a subsequent interview with ABC Radio, Mr van Holst Pellekaan said he wished he had chosen his words more carefully but was acting with good intentions.
"I wish I had worded it better. I'm not a bad person, I'm not an insensitive person," he said.
"Why did I contact that person? Because I do try to care for my constituents, and I sent a message … with all the very best intentions.
"Clearly, the fact that we're even talking about this meant I chose my words clumsily or not well enough and for that, I've apologised to that person twice."
'Heart of gold', Premier says
With 10 days until the state election, addressing a ministerial mishap would have been low on Premier Steven Marshall’s campaigning agenda.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan holds the seat of Stuart by a comfortable margin, but electoral redistributions see him up against popular Independent MP Geoff Brock in a seat the Liberal Party is desperate to keep.
The Premier downplayed the texts, and said his deputy had “the best of intentions."
"He was seeking to support her, and he's conveyed that in a further text to her," he said.
“If it had any unintended consequences the Deputy Premier has already contacted that person and left a message.”
SA secretary of the United Firefighters' Union Max Adlam said the Deputy Premier's actions were "totally inappropriate" and "added insult to injury" for the victim.
"She's been through three years of what is a very difficult time … and yesterday's events have certainly not helped," she said.
"On International Women's Day 2022 there is no excuse for the actions of the Marshall government and the MFS."
