Turnbull must sack Dutton: Di Natale

Malcolm Turnbull should immediately sack Immigration Minister Peter Dutton over his controversial claims about refugees, says Greens leader Richard Di Natale.

Senator Di Natale described Mr Dutton's claim that refugees would take Australian jobs and be a burden on the welfare system as "shameful and appalling".

"(The comments) are not just an attack on refugees, they're an attack on families right around the country - families like mine," he told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

"My grandmother is one of those illiterate, innumerate people who came to this country.

"She brought up a family, seven kids, who made an incredible contribution to this country."

He said Mr Dutton had returned to the ugly days of the White Australia policy and his comments smacked of bigotry and racism.

"If Malcolm Turnbull was a true leader, if he genuinely supported multiculturalism, if he genuinely supported the many people from right around the world who have built Australia, he would sack Peter Dutton."