The Victorian minister stood down over allegations he intimidated and threatened his staff says the claims are baseless and untrue.
Small Business Minister Adem Somyurek was stood down on Saturday morning after his chief of staff lodged a complaint about his behaviour.
She alleged a pattern of intimidation, aggression and threats from Mr Somyurek against her and other staff.
Mr Somyurek rejected the claims.
"These allegations are completely baseless and untrue," he said in a statement on Saturday.
Premier Daniel Andrews stood Mr Somyurek down while the secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet undertakes an investigation.
"I welcome the review and the opportunity to clear my name," Mr Somyurek said.
Mr Andrews said the claim was made on Thursday, an official complaint made on Friday, and he met with Mr Somyurek on Saturday morning to address it.
"These are serious matters, they relate to allegations about inappropriate conduct on the part of the minister of an intimidating, aggressive, threatening nature," Mr Andrews said.
The premier said he hoped the investigation would be completed within weeks, not months.
"I take these matters very seriously. As a government we have set the standard on these issues and, be in no doubt, every member of my team will meet those standards," he said.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said Mr Andrews should have acted faster on the complaint, given it was made two days before he spoke to Mr Somyurek.
"The premier has not provided the public with a full and frank assessment, in my view," he said.
Mr Guy said the opposition would use the parliament to investigate the issue further.
Mr Andrews said he was wary of saying anything that could colour the investigation.
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