Two chauffeured pups lands Victorian minister in the doghouse for ruff ride

A Victorian MP has conceded it was a mistake to use his taxpayer-funded car to chauffeur his dogs between his city and country homes.

Corrections Minister Steve Herbert ordered his driver to drive his pooches, Patch and Ted, to and from his properties in Parkdale and Trentham while he was at work.

The 120 kilometre drive was made by the minister's taxpayer-funded chauffeur in a taxpayer-funded vehicle.

Correction Minister Steve Herbert's dogs Ted and Patch. Source: Instagram/@lizamcd

The minister's initial response to questions about his pups' solo journey was that he had "no issue" with it, Fairfax reports.

But a spokesman for Mr Herbert on Wednesday night issued a statement apologising for his actions.

"On reflection, this use of the ministerial car does not meet community expectations and I apologise," Mr Herbert later said.

It is not clear how many times the dogs were given a ride on the taxpayer dollar. Source: Instagram/@lizamcd

A spokesman for the minister offered further apologies in a statement.

"The minister has apologised for the use of the ministerial car and has acknowledged it doesn't meet community expectations," the spokesman said in a statement to AAP.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet has confirmed that it had not received a complaint from the driver.

Mr Herbert previously said politicians should not be taking taxpayer funds for granted. Source: Facebook

In 2014 Mr Herbert railed against the improper use of taxpayer funds, saying they should be used for public - not politicians' perks.

"It is central to our democracy to have faith in the integrity of public office," Mr Herbert said.

"It is central to the public's faith that their taxpayer dollars are spent for the good of the public and not for the good of politicians, or their mates and friends."

News break – October 27