Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has counselled Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne after he launched an expletive-laden tirade directed at her office.
Mr Byrne reportedly called Ms Palaszczuk's staff "f---tards" in response to their request to travel 60km to attend a media opportunity with the premier in far north Queensland earlier this month.
Mr Byrne has since apologised for the language used, saying his speech can be "more suited to the battlefield than the boardroom".
"I can't recall the precise words I used, but it may come as no surprise to those who know me that from time to time, colourful language does pass my lips," he said in a statement.
Mr Byrne also denied he had intended to disparage developmentally disabled people by using the suffix "-tard"
"I categorically refute the allegation that I have at any time used language intended to insult or denigrate the disabled."
It's understood the outburst prompted the resignation of Mr Byrne's chief-of-staff, his fourth since becoming a minister in 2015.
Ms Palaszczuk's office says Mr Byrne has been counselled over the incident.
"While these roles can certainly be challenging at times, the premier has spoken to Minister Byrne and reminded him of the high standard of behaviour she expects of all ministers and ministerial staff," it said in a statement.
"Minister Byrne is committed to his portfolio and is today travelling to a meeting of state and federal agriculture ministers in Melbourne, to keep fighting for Queensland farmers."
It's not the first time Mr Byrne's rambunctious style has raised eyebrows.
There were calls for him to stand down last year after it emerged he used a gun to shoot rats at his Rockhampton home in the 1990s, however, the premier stood by the then police minister, saying any offence would be outdated.
