Queensland's integrity commissioner has accused the head of the state's Public Service Commission of calling her a "b***h on a witch hunt" during a phone call in 2018.
At a Parliamentary Committee looking into the functions of the Office of the Integrity Commission, an emotional Nikola Stepanov said Public Service Commission chief executive Robert Setter had made the comments.
Pointing to recent media reports, opposition MP Dan Purdie asked Dr Stepanov if she had ever been directly called a "b**** on a witch hunt".
Mr Purdie was asked to withdraw the comments for unparliamentary language, which he did, and instead asked if Dr Stepanov had ever been the subject of misogynistic language similar to what was reported in the media.
Dr Stepanov said comments of that nature had been made to her.
Dr Stepanov is Queensland's first female integrity commissioner since starting the role in 2017.
After being asked by Mr Purdie who made those comments, Dr Stepanov revealed it was Mr Setter.
"I was called that term by the Public Service Commission chief executive," she said.
"I had already heard it but then I was called that term by him in a phone call on or about 4 April, 2018."
'I am appalled and saddened'
Mr Setter made a brief statement on Monday afternoon where he denied making "any misogynistic comments to or about the integrity commissioner at any time".
"I am appalled and saddened at what the integrity commissioner, under parliamentary privilege, claimed I said to her in 2018," he said.
"I am appalled because it is not behaviour that I consider appropriate — ever.
"I am saddened because the integrity commissioner has felt it necessary to use parliamentary privilege to raise her concern in this way."
He said the commissioner had never raised the alleged comments with him directly, nor with any other authority as far as he was aware.
"It is a matter of public record that as the employer of staff in Office of the Integrity Commissioner, that I have been concerned for some time about allegations raised regarding the psychological safety of some staff," he said.
"Where there are matters relating to the integrity commissioner herself, I have made that information available through the appropriate channels for consideration and advice in accordance with my statutory obligations.
He said he could not make further comment because the matters were under CCC investigation, but stood on his "record of respect, integrity, and leadership within the public service over many years".
Outside the hearing, when asked if she had made a complaint about the comments, Dr Stepanov said she would not discuss what steps she may have taken in regards to the incident.
"But obviously, I would have raised those concerns," she said.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is responsible for the Queensland Integrity Commissioner's budget, staffing and resources.
Mr Setter has been head of the Public Service Commission since 2017.
'Get back to work,' Premier says
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Dr Stepanov and Mr Setter needed to stop fighting and get back to work.
"Let me say very clearly, these are two senior public servants. They should get back to work and they should sort their issues out," she said.
"I'm not going to get into this argy-bargy. Honestly they're both grown up.
"I've got better things to deal with in terms of people who are impacted by the floods out there, and I think the public would rightly want me to say settle your differences and let's get on with doing our jobs."
Ms Palaszczuk said she was not aware of any complaints made by Dr Stepanov to her director-general about the matter.
She said she still supported both Mr Setter and Dr Stepanov, and suggested they sort the matter out.
"Well, they could sit in a room and have a full and frank discussion," she said.
"I'm quite sure they can get a mediator or a negotiator. People do that in workplaces all of the time.
The allegations come as Dr Stepanov called for a Commission of Inquiry into "the multitude of integrity related issues" within the state government that have been alleged by former and outgoing public servants in recent months.
Professor Peter Coaldrake is conducting a review into culture and accountability in the state's public sector, which Dr Stepanov has criticised for having a limited scope.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said he was sad and disappointed by Ms Palaszczuk's suggestion the pair should sit and sort out their issues.
"I just can't express the magnitude of this statement and the complete and utter lack of judgement from the Premier in this regard," he said.
"There is only one solution and it isn't to get in a room, it's to call a royal commission."
Integrity commissioner asks to stay on
In January, Dr Stepanov gave notice to Ms Palaszczuk that she would step down as head of the Integrity Commission half way through her second term in July this year to take on another role.
However, Dr Stepanov confirmed in the Parliamentary hearing that she had again written to the Premier to inform her she would now be staying until December due to an ongoing investigation by the state's corruption watchdog.
"Since that time I've come to learn and I continue to learn of the nature and scope of the Crime and Corruption Commission's investigations into my office, and other matters concerning ethics and integrity," she said.
"About which I consider there to be a public expectation of transparency."
But Ms Palaszczuk said Dr Stepanov would have to leave the role in July due to legal advice.
"Dr Stepanov tended her resignation," she said.
"It is an effective resignation that takes effect from … my understanding is about July 4," she said.
"I got the legal advice. I did the right thing. I checked it and it's an effective resignation."
Last month, the CCC confirmed it was still investigating complaints relating to an office laptop being taken from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner.
