A liberal peppering of profanities would hardly be out of place at lunch in the heart of a robust political culture. The Australian Parliament was reaching for the water jug, however, after Gordon Ramsay’s latest televisual taste test.

The country’s broadcasting code of conduct could be overhauled after a recent episode of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares featured the hot-blooded chef spitting out two C-words. Then, for a second course, 80 F-words, in prime-time viewing.

Such outbursts have prompted just 60 complaints since the free-to-air Nine Network recently brought the programme forward an hour from its 9.30pm timeslot, but some of the most unhappy customers are in Parliament.

Cory Bernardi, of the Liberal Party, part of the opposition coalition, said the “dropping of the C bomb” during a recent episode was a word too far and his views have inspired a parliamentary inquiry.

The ruling Labor Party and minor parties have voted with the coalition to establish an investigation into the frequency and use of swearing on television, the effectiveness of classification standards and the complaints process. “I am a viewer and I have quite enjoyed the show but with the dropping of the C bomb and F-words on several occasions I believe we are reaching the absolute limits of acceptability,” he said.

The senator denied being a “wowser”, Australian slang for a spoilsport, but he complained that the frequency and range of profanities on television was increasing and it was time to set stricter boundaries.

Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares has become one of Australia’s most watched programmes, topping the ratings in its timeslot nationally with an average audience of 1.4 million.

The Office of Film and Literature Classification, an independent statutory body, had recommended the series for mature audiences, who are given warning of moderate coarse language. Frequent swearing is permitted if it is important to the storyline and in context.

The channel argues that Ramsay’s swearing was indicative of the stressful environment in the kitchens of leading restaurants and that in another context such language might be bleeped out. “This is about people’s freedom of speech. This is what people have chosen to watch,” the network said.

Family advocacy groups say, however, that classification standards appear to be slipping and could contribute to a decline in social standards. “I think there are a lot of indications that broadcasters are pushing the boundaries,” Angela Conway, of the Australian Family Association, said.

Of the 914 written complaints against television stations in 2006-07, 18 were upheld and only a few were for coarse language. Four related to an interview with a pop performer and one to an interview with an Australian Rules footballer after a grand final.

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