Victoria's road minister has been forced to explain to parliament why he made an inappropriate remark to a female country mayor.
Luke Donnellan told Corangamite Shire mayor Jo Beard that funding levels were "better than a kick in the dick", Nationals MP Steph Ryan told the lower house on Tuesday.
"I actually spoke to the mayor yesterday and indicated that was an inappropriate use of language and ... what I should of said (was) 'it was better than a kick in the head'," Mr Donnellan said.
But that comment also drew concern with another Nationals MP, Emma Kealy, claiming it condoned violence.
Mr Donnellan subsequently withdrew the remark.
The minister said he apologised to Ms Beard as soon as he heard "through the grapevine" he had caused offence.
"The comment was made specifically in relation to the massive improvements in funding to the southwest coast," he told reporters.
But he said he won't be toning down his language.
"I'm a colourful individual and I use colourful terms," he said.
Ms Beard said the comment made during a February 6 meeting with Mr Donnellan, VicRoads and the shire's chief executive was disappointing.
"I personally didn't take offence to it, I've got a pretty thick skin," she told AAP.
"It was more around the disappointment that he had made that comment toward the council."
Ms Beard said she did not think the debacle will tarnish the council's relationship with the state government.
Australian Associated Press
