Tensions within the government have reached boiling point, with a senior MP lodging a formal complaint over comments made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott which suggested his colleagues were sexist.

Queensland party veteran Warren Entsch decided to publicise the approach after Mr Abbott launched spirited defence of his chief of staff, Peta Credlin, News Corp reports.

The prime minister said Ms Credlin had been targeted in part because of her gender.

"Do you really think that my chief of staff would be under this kind of criticism if her name was P-E-T-E-R as opposed to P-E-T-A?" Mr Abbott said on Friday.

"I think people need to take a long, hard look at themselves with some of these criticisms."

Mr Entsch has hit back with extraordinary force, openly describing the apparent dysfunction behind closed party doors.

"To suggest there's an issue because of her gender I find offensive," he said.

"He's basically said, 'if they don't like it they are sexists'.

"He needs to be very careful because there’s a lot of cabinet ministers who have a problem with how the Prime Minister's Office is operating.

"It's as bad as it's ever been."

Tony Abbott's chief of staff, Peta Credlin. (AAP) (AAP)

Mr Entsch's complaint comes as the government battles to pass a range of the more unpopular measures of its budget.

He said Mr Abbott’s rhetoric was failing and his sexism comments were an attempt to minimise criticisms of his office.

"Almost every bloody headline is coming out of his mouth, whether it's 'shirt-front' or whatever.