"There is no place for disrespectful language towards women, and that particularly applies to people who are in the public eye, whether they're leaders like myself or media personalities who have a big megaphone."

Mr Turnbull's plan to cut corporate taxes has been relentlessly attacked by Labor Party leader Bill Shorten as a gift to big business. Credit:Andrew Meares

On his radio program last week, McGuire said he would pay $50,000 to see Wilson, The Age's chief football writer, "stay under" freezing water, and another $10,000 for "everyone to stand around the outside and bomb her". He then went on to call Wilson a "black widow", complaining that she "just sucks you in and...bang! She gets you".



He later claimed the remarks were mere banter, and not intended to cause offence.

Mr Turnbull's take-down of McGuire contrasted with comments on Monday by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who dismissed the controversy as a distraction and said people should be more "robust".

"If we're going to take offence at every silly, offhand remark or attempt at humour, then we're not focusing on the really important issues of the day," she said.