The mayor of Katherine Fay Miller has accused the federal health minister, Greg Hunt, of misogyny after he admitted to using "strong language" in an exchange.
Mr Hunt reportedly told Ms Miller she had to "f***ing get over" herself when they sat down last December in Parliament House.
Speaking to the ABC on Thursday, Ms Miller she was shocked by Mr Hunt's behaviour and summed up his attitude as "misogynist".
"I didn't move because I have to say I was absolutely gobsmacked," she said.
It came as Mr Hunt admitted he should have said sorry sooner for using "strong language" in a meeting with the Katherine mayor.
"I should have apologised earlier. My fault," he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
The minister said he wanted to repeat his apology to Ms Miller publicly and sincerely.
"It was my fault and my responsibility and I accept that," he said.
Fay Miller. Source: ktc.nt.gov.au
In a letter to Malcolm Turnbull last month, Ms Miller said she wanted to bring to the prime minister's attention the unacceptable behaviour of Mr Hunt as a minister of the Crown in his government.
"Minister Hunt's behaviour towards me was totally unwarranted, disrespectful and unacceptable on every level," she said.
She had been leading a delegation to discuss a health package for her community following PFAS chemical contamination from nearby RAAF Base Tindal.
Coalition backbencher Luke Howarth welcomed his colleague's apology.
"No one's perfect. I've sort of let loose at times as well," Mr Howarth told reporters in Canberra.
But Labor frontbencher Brendan O'Connor offered a more scathing assessment of the delayed apology.
"He should focus on hospitals instead of bullying grandmothers," Mr O'Connor said.
"He needs to show much greater contrition, and frankly he should be focusing on the health needs of the nation."
