Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has broken his silence over incidents embroiling two of his ministers in an inappropriate text message and photo-leak.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton dubbed Samantha Maiden, political editor for News Corp's Sunday papers, a "mad f***ing witch" in a message he accidentally sent her about a column she wrote criticising his colleague Jamie Briggs.
The text was reportedly intended for Mr Briggs, who stepped down from the ministry last week over an incident with a female public servant in a Hong Kong bar.
Mr Turnbull admonished Mr Dutton over his text.
"As I advised the minister yesterday his language was clearly inappropriate as he recognised by apologising immediately to Ms Maiden," he said in a statement to the media on Monday.
Acting Opposition Leader Penny Wong says Mr Turnbull needs to explain how the behaviour is consistent with ministerial standards.
"I don't think Australians think it's acceptable and I think this really is a test for Malcolm Turnbull," she told reporters in Adelaide.
After speaking a lot about the importance of respecting women, he needs to put his words into action, she said.
