Victoria's Roads Minister has apologised for telling the Corangamite Shire Mayor government funding in the region was "better than a kick in the dick".
Luke Donnellan made the remark in a meeting with Councillor Jo Beard, as well as the shire's chief executive and a VicRoads official in Melbourne on February 6, where Ms Beard was advocating for more money for crumbling rural roads in the state's south-west.
Mr Donnellan told the Parliament he rang Councillor Beard to apologise for his language.
"I actually spoke to the Mayor yesterday and indicated that was an inappropriate use of language," he said.
"What I should have said [was] it was better than a kick in the head. What my reference was in relation to is the improvements in funding throughout the south-west coast."
Mr Donnellan was then forced to withdraw that remark after objections from Opposition MPs.
Apology accepted
Councillor Beard said she was not personally offended by Mr Donnellan's language, but was disappointed to be so strongly rebuffed by a senior minister.
"I was just disappointed and surprised that was the comment he made," she said.
"He rang me and apologised and I accept that apology. I think he understands that it wasn't the appropriate terminology to use."
Mr Donnellan later told reporters he was a passionate, straight-talking politician and was unlikely to tone down his language.
"I very much go at it 100 miles per hour and I have a colourful turn of phrase. If in the past I have offended people, I apologise," he said.
"That's just my manner. I'm a colourful individual".
Mr Donnellan has also been criticised for calling opponents of wire rope barriers on highways "banjo-playing conspiracy theorists" and "dingbats".
He said the Andrews Government had budgeted to spend $310 million on road building and repairs on the south-west coast.
