Greg Hunt

Gregory Andrew Hunt was born on 18 November 1965 in Frankston, Victoria.{{Cite Au Parliament |mpid=00AMV |name=The Hon Greg Hunt MP |access-date=2021-11-05}} He was one of five sons born to Kathinka (née Grant, known as Tinka) and Alan Hunt. His father was a solicitor by profession who had been elected to the Victorian Legislative Council in 1962, and served as a Liberal state government minister in the 1970s and 1980s.{{cite news|url=https://www.greghunt.com.au/vale-alan-hunt-9-october-1927-19-july-2013/|title=Vale Alan Hunt. 9 October 1927 – 19 July 2013|publisher=Greg Hunt MP|date=19 July 2013|access-date=6 October 2019|archive-date=6 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006093653/https://www.greghunt.com.au/vale-alan-hunt-9-october-1927-19-july-2013/|url-status=live}} Hunt's maternal grandmother Phyllis Forster was one of the first women to graduate from the Victorian College of Pharmacy.{{cite news|url=https://insidestory.org.au/wrong-medicine/|title=Wrong medicine|publisher=Inside Story|date=18 May 2020|access-date=7 April 2021|first=Jennifer|last=Doggett|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321171536/https://insidestory.org.au/wrong-medicine/|url-status=live}} His mother worked as a nurse, but suffered from a form of bipolar disorder and was later institutionalised.{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/the-family-battle-that-shaped-new-health-minister-greg-hunt-20170118-gttjfg.html|title=The family battle that shaped new Health Minister Greg Hunt|first=Matthew|last=Knott|date=18 January 2017|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=17 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517111301/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/the-family-battle-that-shaped-new-health-minister-greg-hunt-20170118-gttjfg.html|url-status=live}} She died of a heart attack at the age of 58, while her son was studying abroad.{{cite news|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/health-minister-greg-hunts-life-shaped-by-extraordinary-childhood/news-story/0e1ae6b3ed781490b26b9d81a5951625|title=Health Minister Greg Hunt's life shaped by extraordinary childhood|date=2 May 2020|access-date=7 April 2021|newspaper=Courier-Mail|archive-date=7 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707051546/https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fnews%2Fqueensland%2Fhealth-minister-greg-hunts-life-shaped-by-extraordinary-childhood%2Fnews-story%2F0e1ae6b3ed781490b26b9d81a5951625&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=c7eca2389834466232fe65b51c9a83fd-1625634945|url-status=live}}

Hunt grew up in Mornington, Victoria, attending Mornington Primary School and the Peninsula School.{{cite news|url=https://vic.liberal.org.au/GregHunt|title=About Greg|publisher=Greg Hunt|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121082710/https://vic.liberal.org.au/GregHunt|url-status=live}} He took a gap year after leaving high school, travelling through Ireland, the Alps, Spain, and Israel. He lived on a kibbutz for several months, learning Hebrew and working in a machine shop. After returning to Australia, Hunt studied arts and law at the University of Melbourne, living at Ormond College and graduating with first-class honours.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-was-getting-about-1000-messages-a-day-why-greg-hunt-gave-up-running-for-a-while-20200806-p55j9s.html|title='I was getting about 1000 messages a day': why Greg Hunt gave up running for a while|first=Deborah|last=Snow|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=11 September 2020|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315215747/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-was-getting-about-1000-messages-a-day-why-greg-hunt-gave-up-running-for-a-while-20200806-p55j9s.html|url-status=live}} At university he developed friendships with Mary Wooldridge and John Roskam. He was head of the debating society and partnered with Rufus Black at the 1984 World Universities Debating Championship in Edinburgh, Scotland, finishing in second place. He won a prize for a final-year thesis he co-authored with Black, titled A Tax to Make the Polluter Pay.{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Greg |date=July 14, 2022 |title=A tax to make the polluter pay |url=http://thetypewriter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/50162694-A-Tax-to-Make-the-Polluter-Pay.pdf |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=The Typewriter |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524180608/https://thetypewriter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/50162694-A-Tax-to-Make-the-Polluter-Pay.pdf |url-status=live }}

Hunt is one of seven Liberal MPs in the 46th Parliament of Australia who have obtained degrees at an Oxbridge or Ivy League university, the others being Alan Tudge, Angus Taylor, Andrew Laming, Dave Sharma, Josh Frydenberg and Paul Fletcher.{{cite news |title=Pathways to Parliament |url=https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2021/careers-before-politics/ |newspaper=Theage |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=7 April 2022 |last1=Carter |first1=Noah Yim |archive-date=20 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120134942/https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2021/careers-before-politics/ |url-status=live }}

Hunt joined law firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques after completing his undergraduate degree. In 1992 he was an associate to Michael Black, the chief justice of the Federal Court of Australia.{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/twist-of-fate-for-greg-hunt-in-blaze-of-glory-contempt-of-court-case-20170615-gwrjcj|title=Twist of fate for Greg Hunt in 'blaze of glory' contempt of court case|first=Katie|last=Walsh|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=15 June 2017|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=7 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707051544/https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/twist-of-fate-for-greg-hunt-in-blaze-of-glory-contempt-of-court-case-20170615-gwrjcj|url-status=live}} Hunt subsequently completed a Master of Arts in International Relations at Yale University as a Fulbright Scholar. He also interned at the UN Centre for Human Rights in Geneva, "researching atrocities in the former Yugoslavia".

In 1994, Hunt began working as a senior adviser to Alexander Downer, the federal leader of opposition. He remained in Downer's office until 1998, spanning his resignation as Liberal leader and later appointment as foreign minister in the Howard government. He was the chief of the Australian Electoral Observer Mission at the 1998 Cambodian general election. Hunt subsequently worked as a senior fellow at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Comparative Constitutional Law (1998–1999), as engagement manager at management consultants McKinsey and Co. (1999–2001), and held the position of Director of Strategy at the World Economic Forum (2000–2001). He was a foundation investor in project management software company Aconex, but had to sell his shares in 2013 when he became a government minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/australian-business-must-embrace-innovation-agenda-says-greg-hunt-20160722-gqbbh4|title=Australian business must embrace innovation agenda, says Greg Hunt|first=Mark|last=Ludlow|newspaper=Australian Financial Review|date=24 July 2016|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504060202/https://www.afr.com/politics/australian-business-must-embrace-innovation-agenda-says-greg-hunt-20160722-gqbbh4|url-status=live}}

Hunt was elected to the House of Representatives at the 2001 federal election, standing in the Division of Flinders. He had been asked to stand for Liberal preselection by the retiring MP Peter Reith.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hunting-ground-20120210-1sjt7.html|title=Hunting ground|first=Shane|last=Green|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=7 April 2021|archive-date=2 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502070703/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/hunting-ground-20120210-1sjt7.html|url-status=live}} In 2003 he supported the invasion of Iraq by coalition forces and served as a spokesman for the Howard government's policies.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s778307.htm|title=Hunt discusses Government's Iraq position|date=6 February 2003|first=Mark|last=Colvin|access-date=7 April 2021|work=PM|publisher=ABC|archive-date=24 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424191614/https://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s778307.htm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s811046.htm|title=Iraq war debate|first=Mark|last=Colvin|date=19 March 2003|access-date=7 April 2021|work=PM|publisher=ABC|archive-date=29 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129221808/https://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2003/s811046.htm|url-status=live}}

Hunt was first elevated to the ministry following the 2004 federal election, when he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. In January 2007, Hunt was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Following the Coalition's defeat at the 2007 election, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Urban Water.{{cite web |url=http://www.greghunt.com.au/AboutGreg/Biography.aspx |title=About Greg |publisher=Greghunt.com.au |access-date=24 October 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194137/http://www.greghunt.com.au/AboutGreg/Biography.aspx |url-status=dead }} His title was altered to Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Heritage after the 2010 election.

After the 2013 federal election, Hunt was appointed Minister for the Environment in the Abbott government.{{cite web|title=Commonwealth Government – Abbott Ministry|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/03%20Senators%20and%20Members/32%20Members/Lists/minlist.ashx|publisher=Parliament of Australia|access-date=27 October 2013|date=18 September 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191928/http://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/03%20Senators%20and%20Members/32%20Members/Lists/minlist.ashx|url-status=live}} One of his first actions as minister was to inform Tim Flannery, the head of the Gillard government's Climate Commission, that the government was closing this body, as per its election platform.{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-shuts-down-climate-commission-20130919-2u185.html |title=Abbott shuts down Climate Commission |publisher=theage.com.au |date=19 September 2013 |access-date=27 October 2013 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=22 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222025810/http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-shuts-down-climate-commission-20130919-2u185.html |url-status=live }} In December 2013, he announced a project to dredge Abbot Point, which was approved by the Marine Park Authority in January 2014.{{cite web|title=Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority approves plan to dump Abbot Point spoil|date=31 January 2014|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-31/abbot-point-spoil-dredging-approved/5227774|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=31 January 2014|archive-date=31 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131070155/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-31/abbot-point-spoil-dredging-approved/5227774|url-status=live}}

Following the change in Liberal Party leadership in September 2015, Hunt was retained as Minister for the Environment in the new Turnbull government.{{cite news |date=21 September 2015 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-20/turnbull-cabinet-reshuffle-whos-going-where/6775446 |title=Malcolm Turnbull's Cabinet reshuffle: Who's going where? |work=ABC |location=Australia |access-date=14 February 2016 |archive-date=20 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920153739/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-20/turnbull-cabinet-reshuffle-whos-going-where/6775446 |url-status=live }} In February 2016, Hunt was named "Best Minister in the World" by a panel established by Thomson Reuters for the 2016 World Government Summit of Dubai.{{Cite web|title = Greg Hunt named 'best minister in the world'|url = http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/greg-hunt-named-best-minister-in-the-world-20160209-gmpc46.html|website = The Sydney Morning Herald|date = 9 February 2016|access-date = 2016-02-18|archive-date = 15 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160215193847/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/greg-hunt-named-best-minister-in-the-world-20160209-gmpc46.html|url-status = live}}

With the reelection of the Turnbull government in 2016, Hunt became the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science in the Second Turnbull Ministry.{{cite news|first=Stephanie|last=Anderson|title=Election 2016: Malcolm Turnbull unveils ministry with Christopher Pyne, Greg Hunt on the move|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/malcolm-turnbull-unveils-new-look-ministry/7638492|newspaper=ABC News|date=20 July 2016|access-date=22 July 2016|archive-date=24 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824050817/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-18/malcolm-turnbull-unveils-new-look-ministry/7638492|url-status=live}} Following the resignation of Sussan Ley as Health Minister in January 2017, Turnbull appointed Hunt as the Minister for Health and the Minister for Sport.{{cite news|title=Greg Hunt announced as new Health Minister|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-18/greg-hunt-replaces-sussan-ley-as-health-minister/8190384|access-date=19 January 2017|work=ABC News|date=18 January 2017|language=en-AU|archive-date=23 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523003842/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-18/greg-hunt-replaces-sussan-ley-as-health-minister/8190384|url-status=live}}

In June 2017 Hunt, Michael Sukkar and Alan Tudge faced the possibility of being prosecuted for contempt of court after they made public statements criticising the sentencing decisions of two senior judges while the government was awaiting their ruling on a related appeal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.afr.com/news/politics/greg-hunt-alan-tudge-michael-sukkar-face-contempt-charge-20170614-gwrf34|title=Greg Hunt, Alan Tudge, Michael Sukkar face contempt charge|date=2017-06-15|work=Financial Review|access-date=2017-06-15|language=en-US|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029044932/https://www.afr.com/news/politics/greg-hunt-alan-tudge-michael-sukkar-face-contempt-charge-20170614-gwrf34|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/15/greg-hunt-declines-to-say-if-hell-appear-in-court-for-hearing-over-potential-contempt-charges|title=Greg Hunt declines to say if he'll be in court for hearing over potential contempt charges|last=Hutchens|first=Gareth|date=2017-06-14|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-06-15|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=7 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007141253/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/15/greg-hunt-declines-to-say-if-hell-appear-in-court-for-hearing-over-potential-contempt-charges|url-status=live}} They avoided prosecution by, eventually, making an unconditional apology to the Victorian Court of Appeal.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/23/coalition-ministers-no-contempt-charges-court-accepts-apology|title=Coalition ministers will not face contempt charges after court accepts apology|last=Wahlquist|first=Calla|work=The Guardian|date=23 June 2017|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-date=22 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322034124/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/23/coalition-ministers-no-contempt-charges-court-accepts-apology|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ministers-make-unconditional-apology-for-criticism-of-victorias-supreme-court-20170623-gwx1zq.html|title=Ministers escape contempt charges after 'unconditional apology' to Supreme Court|last1=Bucci|first1=Nino|last2=Massola|first2=James|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 June 2017|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920193736/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ministers-make-unconditional-apology-for-criticism-of-victorias-supreme-court-20170623-gwx1zq.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cefa.org.au/ccf/executive-and-judicial-tussle-healthy-our-democracy|title=An Executive and Judicial tussle: Is this healthy for our democracy?|publisher=Constitution Education Fund Australia|date=23 June 2017|access-date=23 June 2017|archive-date=22 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022101206/http://www.cefa.org.au/ccf/executive-and-judicial-tussle-healthy-our-democracy|url-status=live}} During the run up to the Victorian state elections of 2018, Hunt participated in the African gangs moral panic by stating "We know that African gang crime in some areas [of Victoria] is clearly out of control. [...] The failure is not police, but the Premier."{{cite journal |last1=Tebeje |first1=Molla |title=Racial moral panic and African youth in Australia |journal=International Journal of Intercultural Relations |date=2021 |issue=84 |page=95-106 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0147176721001061?via%3Dihub |access-date=14 June 2024}}

In Turnbull's 2020 autobiography A Bigger Picture, he described Hunt as "widely distrusted by his colleagues" and stated that he "all too often used abusive and vulgar language towards others", including to his department secretary Martin Bowles.

During the Liberal leadership crisis in August 2018, Hunt tendered his resignation as health minister. However, it was not formally accepted and he retained the position in the Morrison government several days later.{{cite news|url=https://ajp.com.au/news/greg-hunt-to-stay-on/|title=Greg Hunt to stay on|publisher=Australian Journal of Pharmacy|date=26 August 2018|access-date=6 October 2019|archive-date=6 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006093339/https://ajp.com.au/news/greg-hunt-to-stay-on/|url-status=live}} Hunt stood for the deputy leadership of the party, polling 16 votes out of 82 (20 percent) compared with 46 for Josh Frydenberg and 20 for Steven Ciobo; there were three abstentions.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-selected-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister-20180824-p4zzjz.html|title=Scott Morrison selected as Australia's 30th Prime Minister|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=24 August 2018|access-date=6 October 2019|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023011124/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-selected-as-australia-s-30th-prime-minister-20180824-p4zzjz.html|url-status=live}}

Hunt had a prominent role during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. He was granted authority over Australia's strategy and response to the pandemic after the Governor-General of Australia enacted the Biosecurity Act 2015 on 23 March 2020. Hunt's leadership over Australia's public health response to the pandemic has received praise for its effectiveness in reducing transmission and following scientific advice. In government meetings, Hunt drew comparison's with Australia's shortcomings in responding to the 1918 flu pandemic to garner political support for the "suppression" strategy.{{Cite news |last=Cave |first=Damien |date=2022-05-15 |title=How Australia Saved Thousands of Lives While Covid Killed a Million Americans |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/15/world/australia/covid-deaths.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517090944/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/15/world/australia/covid-deaths.html |url-status=live }} Hunt also conducted national press briefings{{Cite news|last1=Cox|first1=Lisa|last2=Rachwani|first2=Mostafa|last3=Boseley|first3=Matilda|last4=Visontay (earlier)|first4=Elias|last5=Livingstone|first5=Helen|date=2021-05-28|title=Greg Hunt says record number of people vaccinated – as it happened|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/may/28/australia-coronavirus-live-update-victoria-lockdown-begins-as-calls-mount-for-more-business-support-melbourne-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-cases-restrictions-scott-morrison-brittany-higgins|access-date=2021-06-02|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215552/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2021/may/28/australia-coronavirus-live-update-victoria-lockdown-begins-as-calls-mount-for-more-business-support-melbourne-covid-19-vaccine-astrazeneca-cases-restrictions-scott-morrison-brittany-higgins|url-status=live}} and has been prominent in the country's vaccination deployment.{{Cite news|date=2021-05-31|title=Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of aged care workers back under review|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-31/vic-covid-outbreak-aged-care-vaccine-mandatory-consider-rollout/100178812|access-date=2021-06-02|work=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603071221/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-31/vic-covid-outbreak-aged-care-vaccine-mandatory-consider-rollout/100178812|url-status=live}} Hunt's ban on foreign travel for Australians during the pandemic has faced legal challenges but was upheld in court.{{Cite news|last=Heath|first=Ryan|title=Hermit nation: Australia locks out its citizens in extreme new Covid policy|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/03/australia-covid-lockdown-485255|access-date=2021-06-02|work=POLITICO|language=en|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214810/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/03/australia-covid-lockdown-485255|url-status=live}} His handling of the country’s vaccination program has drawn sharp criticism for delays and examples of mis-management, particularly in the aged care sector.{{Cite news|last=Rudd|first=Kevin|date=2021-07-04|title=Greg Hunt has failed to vaccinate the nation and must go|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/greg-hunt-has-failed-to-vaccinate-the-nation-and-must-go-20210703-p586jq.html|access-date=2021-07-06|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en-AU|archive-date=6 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706213537/https://www.smh.com.au/national/greg-hunt-has-failed-to-vaccinate-the-nation-and-must-go-20210703-p586jq.html|url-status=live}}

The pace of national vaccination program brought the word strollout  to the national vernacular. A blend of rollout and stroll, the word refers to the "perceived lack of speed" in Australia's vaccine rollout.  On November 17, Canberra's Australian National Dictionary Centre announced strollout as its pick for the word of the year, Two Australian dictionaries — and, in one poll, the Australian public — have chosen strollout as their word of the year for 2021.{{Cite news|date=2021-11-29|title=Australia's word of the year is phonetically satisfying — and very frustrating|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-30/covid-vaccine-strollout-macquarie-dictionary-word-year-australia/100659388|access-date=2021-11-29|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129233008/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-30/covid-vaccine-strollout-macquarie-dictionary-word-year-australia/100659388|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=2021-11-17|title=2021's Word of the Year alludes to a uniquely Australian problem|language=en-AU|work=ABC News|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-17/australian-word-of-the-year-is-strollout-referencing-vaccines/100626698|access-date=2021-11-29|archive-date=29 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129233001/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-17/australian-word-of-the-year-is-strollout-referencing-vaccines/100626698|url-status=live}}

In June 2020 Hunt announced that he would ask the Governor-General in Council to make regulations from 1 July 2020 prohibiting the importation of e-cigarettes containing vaporizer nicotine and nicotine-containing refills unless on prescription from a doctor.{{Cite web|last=gail.bird|date=2020-06-18|title=Australian Government proposes strengthening its stance against e-cigarettes containing vaporiser nicotine|url=https://www.odc.gov.au/news-media/news/australian-government-proposes-strengthening-its-stance-against-e-cigarettes|access-date=2020-06-26|website=odc.gov.au|language=en|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627070654/https://www.odc.gov.au/news-media/news/australian-government-proposes-strengthening-its-stance-against-e-cigarettes|url-status=live}} Hunt stated on Twitter that the Australian Government committed to shutting down the importation of vaping products on 1 July. By 27 July a petition endorsed by Senator Matthew Canavan and George Christensen and other backbenchers was signed by over 70,000 people, causing Hunt to extend this deadline.{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Fergus Hunter, Rob|date=2020-06-25|title=Greg Hunt faces backbench revolt over vaping import ban|url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greg-hunt-faces-backbench-revolt-over-vaping-import-ban-20200625-p5569k.html|access-date=2020-06-26|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626141701/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greg-hunt-faces-backbench-revolt-over-vaping-import-ban-20200625-p5569k.html|url-status=live}} Hunt stated in a media release that he will now ask the Governor-General in Council to sign off on these regulations on 1 January 2021 to allow time for a more streamlined process for patients obtaining nicotine through their GP.{{Cite web|last=Health|first=Australian Government Department of|date=2020-06-26|title=Prescription Nicotine Based Vaping|url=https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/prescription-nicotine-based-vaping|access-date=2020-06-26|website=Australian Government Department of Health|language=en|archive-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626151049/https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/prescription-nicotine-based-vaping|url-status=live}}

On 2 December 2021, Hunt announced his intention to retire from politics in the 2022 federal election.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-02/health-minister-greg-hunt-to-retire-at-2022-federal-election/100624148|title=Health Minister Greg Hunt to retire from politics at 2022 federal election|publisher=ABC News|date=2 December 2021|access-date=2 December 2021|archive-date=2 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202044059/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-02/health-minister-greg-hunt-to-retire-at-2022-federal-election/100624148|url-status=live}}

In October 2022, Monash University announced the appointment of Hunt as the foundation Chair of the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health’s Advisory Council.{{Cite web |title=The Hon Greg Hunt appointed Turner Institute Advisory Council Chair |url=https://www.monash.edu/turner-institute/news-and-events/latest-news/2022-articles/the-hon-greg-hunt-appointed-turner-institute-advisory-council-chair |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health |date=31 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510153458/https://www.monash.edu/turner-institute/news-and-events/latest-news/2022-articles/the-hon-greg-hunt-appointed-turner-institute-advisory-council-chair |url-status=live }}

File:Hunt office.jpg]]

Hunt was described in 2017 as a "'small-l liberal' from the party's progressive wing". In 2012 he was described as "a moderate who is part of Tony Abbott's inner circle, and arguably the pre-eminent federal Liberal from Victoria". However, according to The Sydney Morning Herald in 2021, Hunt is a member of the centre-right faction of the Liberal Party.{{cite web |last1=Massola |first1=James |title=Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 March 2021 |publisher=Fairfax Media |access-date=1 February 2022 |archive-date=22 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322020317/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html |url-status=live }}

Hunt voted for removing the ban on the abortion drug RU-486 and supported the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

In 2006 Hunt and three other Liberal MPs put forward a proposal to fund full-time chaplains in state schools, in what eventually became the National School Chaplaincy Programme. He reportedly described state schools as "anti-religious" and said there was "a clear need in our schools for the mentoring and personal development, counselling and crisis management, the opportunity for values-based guidance and religious education that a chaplain could provide".{{cite news|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/state-school-chaplains-push-20060611-ge2hxt.html|title=State-school chaplains push|first=Jason|last=Koutsoukis|date=11 June 2006|access-date=7 April 2021|newspaper=The Age|archive-date=12 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412071715/https://www.theage.com.au/national/state-school-chaplains-push-20060611-ge2hxt.html|url-status=live}}

Hunt lives in Mount Martha, Victoria. He has two children from his marriage to Paula Lindsey, a former nurse educator. His first marriage "to a university sweetheart, ended amicably during his 20s".

Hunt is a qualified recreational diver. He had completed seven marathons as of 2012, and in 2020, it was reported that he runs {{convert|6|km}} a day. In March 2021, he was hospitalised for several days with cellulitis.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/greg-hunt-cellulitis-what-is-it-how-do-you-contract-it/13235598|title=Greg Hunt has been hospitalised with cellulitis. So what is it? And how serious is it?|publisher=ABC News|date=11 March 2021|access-date=3 May 2021|archive-date=13 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413124558/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/greg-hunt-cellulitis-what-is-it-how-do-you-contract-it/13235598|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website|http://www.greghunt.com.au/}}
• {{OpenAustralia}}

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