Greek language height of rudeness

South Australian Leader of the Opposition Isobel Redmond called Minister Tom Koutsantonis rude after he spoke to the President of Cyprus in Greek at an official function in Adelaide last month, according to Minister Koutsantonis. 
This attack comes after Minister Koutsantonis went public with the knowledge that the Opposition Leader, Isobel Redmond left the official function early, breaking protocol to "do some real work".
"Protocol is that we wait for the president and the governor to leave," Koutsantonis told Neos Kosmos of the function held in honour of the President of the Republic of Cyprus and his official party.
"(Redmond) said to me and others, and within the ear shot of the president, that she had to leave and go do some, and I quote 'real work'. I found (the comment) highly offensive as did other people at the function."
Koutsantonis said that it was in parliament that the opposition leader said that it was "the height of rudeness for (him) to address and speak to (the) guest in his native tongue in Greek".
"I reject this," said Koutsantonis, "I am a natural born Australian and am very proud of my Australian heritage, but I am also Greek. I think we should use every advantage we possibly have to our migrants and if I can speak Greek to a Greek or Cypriot leader then why wouldn't I?
Koutsantonis said he has attended various functions where the guest of honour was spoken to in their native language and he was never offended.
"It's a recognition of the communities presence in Australia rather than an offence to anyone. I think it's highly appropriate for me to say a few remarks in English and Greek. It legitimises Greek migration and other migration to Australia as being legitimate to express your cultural differences as we are a multicultural country.
"If you aspire to the job Premier of South Australia or the Prime Minister of Australia as one of the most multicultural countries in the world one of the first jobs would be to accept those cultural difference," said Koutsantonis.
"Ms Redmond not only holds the position Leader of the Opposition but also Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs. I think that someone in that portfolio should know better than to say it's rude to speak to the President of Cyprus in his native tongue."