Hunter rejects prison job link

Chris Hunter, former Hawkins Construction chief executive, denies that his sudden departure had anything to do with problems at a big Australian prison job and said he objected to anyone making that link.

Acting chief executive David McConnell agreed. "Chris' decision to part company with Hawkins is not related to Ararat and had been a matter of discussion between Chris and I for a number of months," he said.

During Hunter's 9 years the company's turnover increased sevenfold.