Labor has attacked Finance Minister Mathias Cormann for labelling Bill Shorten an “economic girly man” for opposing the budget.

The Liberal senator channelled Arnold Schwarzenegger, calling Opposition Leader Bill Shorten an “economic girly man”, a phrase coined by the former California governor to describe budget pessimists.

But senior Labor frontbencher Penny Wong questioned the use of “girly” as an insult.

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“If we use ‘girl’ as an insult, what are we telling our sons and our daughters about being a girl? You’re saying it is somehow less competent, weak,” Senator Wong told Sky News.

“Imagine if we used any racial term in the way it was used. I think we would all be outraged.”

Labor leader Bill Shoten. Photo: Getty

Insult ok: Cormann

But Finance Minister Mathias Cormann defended the insult after receiving widespread criticism for the sexist nature of the comment.

“The problem that the Labor Party has today is that Bill Shorten is an economic girlie man,” he said in an interview with Sky News on Saturday.

“He doesn’t have what it takes to repair the budget mess that they have left behind.”

On Sunday the Finance Minister defended himself, saying that “economic girlie-man has come to adopt its own meaning”.

“It is not in any way intended as a reflection on girls, it is entirely intended as a reflection on Bill Shorten,” Senator Cormann said in a statement.

“No amount of confected outrage from Bill Shorten, Labor and the Greens can detract from the fact that he is too weak to repair the budget mess Labor left behind.”

Penny Wong. Photo: Getty

‘Comments worrying’: Wong

Senator Wong said she noted Education Minister Christopher Pyne failed to support Senator Cormann when asked about the issue this morning on national television.

“Christopher didn’t defend Mathias which was telling of itself,” she said.

“I don’t think using ‘girlie’ as an insult is the sort of thing a cabinet minister or serious political leader should be saying.”

Mr Pyne told Sky News that Senator Cormann was simply making a point about Labor’s spending record.

“I think Mathias Cormann used a colourful phrase,” he said.

“I have to say it’s unusual for Mathias to use a colourful phrase but it’s obviously captured the attention of some people.”

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said Senator Cormann’s comments detracted from issues surrounding the budget.

“I think it is extraordinary that we have a PM who talks about shirtfronting the leader of [another] nation and we now have a Finance Minister who thinks he is Arnold Schwarzenegger,” Ms Plibersek said.

“What Mathias Cormann is missing is that this budget hurts vulnerable Australians.”

-with AAP, ABC