Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has been left red-faced after he referred to a journalist as a "mad f---ing witch", then accidentally sent the text message to the journalist herself.

On Sunday night, the minister confirmed he apologised to the journalist after he sent the message, reportedly intended for his embattled colleague Jamie Briggs, who stepped down after acting inappropriately towards a colleague while on an overseas trip.

In a newspaper column, journalist Samantha Maiden branded Mr Briggs' behaviour while travelling "dumb as all get out".

Maiden criticised the former minister's alcohol intake, and his decision to circulate a photo of the woman who made a confidential complaint about his actions at a Hong Kong bar.