This could be the year politicians and the media reach a friendly détente. Or not.
On Sunday, Australia's Immigration Minister Peter Dutton mistakenly sent Sunday Telegraph political editor Samantha Maiden a text message calling her a "mad f***ing witch," after she wrote a highly critical article about a colleague.
The message was intended for fellow politician Jamie Briggs, News Corp reported, who had recently resigned from the ministry for conduct with a female public servant in a bar in Hong Kong that allegedly breached ministerial standards.
Earlier that day, Maiden had published an article in the Telegraph calling the incident "about as dumb as all get out." She also condemned the former minister for sending photos of the unnamed complainant to colleagues, which then somehow ended up, pixelated, on the cover of a number of newspapers.
"He did not go down simply for having a beer or giving a woman a kiss on the cheek," she wrote. "Briggs got the boot because his alcoholic intake left him running the risk of behaving like Les Patterson when representing Australia abroad."
Maiden, for her part, took the offensive message in stride, even changing her Twitter image to the cartoon of Bewitched.
AWKWARD: Peter Dutton accidentally send "mad witch" text to the targeted wiccan https://t.co/fhEayVIosN— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) January 3, 2016
respect to @samanthamaiden pic.twitter.com/AVX3BHaMN6— Angus Livingston (@anguslivingston) January 3, 2016
Maiden confirmed the incident to the Nine Network Monday and said Dutton had apologised to her.
"As soon as he sent me that text saying 'Mate, she's a bit of a mad witch' I sent him a text saying 'Mate, you've sent the text to the mad witch'," she said. "I was more than happy to accept Peter Dutton's apology." She also said she hoped he would not lose his ministerial position.
Dutton's office and the prime minister's office have been contacted for comment.
The incident lit up social media, and compounded a bad start to the year for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Along with Briggs, minister Mal Brough stepped aside on Dec. 29, while he faces investigation by the Australian Federal Police over his involvement with the controversial removal of former parliamentary speaker Peter Slipper.
"Hello is that Telstra? This is Peter Dutton. How do you stop a text?" #auspol pic.twitter.com/vRvmpkMonK— Michael Woodhead (@mpwoodhead) January 3, 2016
There should be a phone amnesty to save MPs from themselves #madfuckingwitch— PatriciaKarvelas (@PatsKarvelas) January 3, 2016
dutton’s text: hey. you up? my parents aren’t home, come over dutton’s mum: peter, you’ve sent this to me again— Bec Shaw (@Brocklesnitch) January 3, 2016
pic.twitter.com/5rupJuHoev— Ben Jenkins (@bencjenkins) January 3, 2016
Marvel superhero Jessica Jones even got in on the action.
@samanthamaiden as far as I'm concerned, it's a compliment. From one #madfuckingwitch to another, welcome to the club...— Jessica Jones (@JessicaJones) January 3, 2016
This is not the first time Dutton has been caught in an awkward situation. In 2015, he was caught by a boom mic making callous quips about the fate of Pacific nations as sea levels rise due to climate change.
At the time, fellow minister Scott Morrison pointed out the mic to Dutton and then-Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Perhaps Morrison should also be called in to supervise Dutton's texts?