A hedonistic night out in Hong Kong can have serious consequences on your career.
Exhibit A:
A minister for the Australian government has resigned after a female civil servant complained about his conduct in a Hong Kong bar.
Jamie Briggs, the Aussie federal minster for cities and the built environment, announced his retirement from the frontbench of Malcolm Turnbull’s government after admitting his behaviour on a night in late November did not meet the “high standards” expected of someone in his position.
According to the Guardian, the exact nature of the complaint has not been revealed, but it is known that an unnamed female civil servant told on Briggs after he and his chief of staff visited a “crowded” Hong Kong bar when their official duties for the day were over.
Briggs stressed that nothing illegal happened, adding (rather ambiguously), “At no point was it my intention to act inappropriately. […] This was an error of professional judgment.”
He also apologised to the woman who made the complaint and said he would not reveal her identity “to protect her privacy and at her request”.
Prime Minister Turnbull in turn issued a statement saying, “As Mr Briggs has noted in his public statement, ministers are expected to uphold high standards of behaviour as set out in the ministerial standards. […] On this occasion his conduct fell short of that standard. After being invited to reflect on his position, he offered his resignation which I have accepted.”
There’s nothing quite like being invited to reflect on your position to make you feel welcome.
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