Boat-death penalty link a disgrace: Govt

The head of Australia's human rights watchdog must apologise for an "outrageous slur" linking Indonesia's resistance on the Bali Nine executions to asylum boat turnbacks, the Immigration Minister says.

The Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs said it was no wonder Indonesia did not co-operate to spare the lives of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran given boats were being pushed back.

But Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said such comments from someone in her position was a "complete outrage".

"It is offensive to the government (and) to the Australian public," he said in Brisbane.

"But most of all it's offensive to the families of the two men involved."

Prof Triggs should now front the media and apologise for her comments, which are unbecoming for someone holding "quasi-judicial office", Mr Dutton said.

"For her to be out there making unfounded statements is a complete disgrace," the minister said.

He said the families of the two late drug smugglers, above all, were owed an apology.

Mr Dutton also suggested she get back to her "core business" and refrain from making politically loaded comments.

He maintained the government's policy of turning back boats had saved lives and money.

But Prof Triggs reportedly told the Adelaide forum the government should pursue a proper diplomatic, regional solution to the issue.