CHIEF Minister Katy Gallagher says John Hargreaves’ public humiliation and resignation from the role of  government whip was enough punishment for the gay slurs he wrote on a note 18 months ago.

Mr Hargreaves will take a pay cut of the $12,102 that goes with the position.

Mr Hargreaves wrote a note to Liberal MLA Alistair Coe while the openly gay minister Andrew Barr was speaking to the Assembly about Stromlo Forrest Park. Mr Coe gave the note to media last night.

“I’m certainly cynical about that, and I think people quite rightly should be,” Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said.

“To have the Liberals say they are offended by that I find  astounding. To be offended by something and then go and place it on a dirt pile for18 months and then pull it out when you are under a bit of pressure leaves me to be suspicious at the minimum.

“But I also won’t use that to pretend there isn’t an issue here that needed a serious response.

“Jokes of this nature are not acceptable and whatever way you want to look at it there needed to be response to it and Mr Hargreaves needs to take responsibility for that behaviour.”