A government staffer has been put on "indefinite leave" after texting an expletive-laden tirade to a female journalist who recently criticised a federal MP.

News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst opened a text message from a Liberal National Party staffer last Sunday night that was littered with abuse, including the terms "feminist c--t" and "bitch". The staffer also wished the recipient's family died "of painful cancer".

The texts were sent to Smethurst after the award-winning journalist wrote a piece critical of Queensland senator Barry O'Sullivan's track record with women in politics.

But in a statement, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the message was "accidentally and inadvertently" sent to the reporter when it was actually intended for a friend.

"The staff member was at the time on a day off from his work and was using his personally funded phone. The event had nothing to do with his employment," the Nationals leader said.