Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has called on Bill Shorten to condemn the actions of a Young Labor president who scaled the roof of his Brisbane office.

Police have charged three women who climbed onto the roof of Mr Dutton's electorate office in Strathpine on Wednesday. Two onlookers were also charged.

As the protest got underway, one of the women told AAP they were not representing any particular group.

Scarlett Squire said she and her friends Purnell and Ellen Sargent wanted answers from Mr Dutton about his government's proposed life-time ban on refugees arriving by boat.

"We want to see this legislation fail if it does go to parliament," Ms Squire told AAP by phone.

But Mr Dutton later suggested there was more to it.

"Carefully have a look at who the people are that were up on the roof. There's one with links to the Labor Party," he told reporters in Canberra.

"In fact, I'm advised, heavily involved in the Young Labor movement despite her denials to the contrary."

Ms Squire is listed as president of the Queensland Young Labor Party on the organisation's website.

Mr Dutton said Mr Shorten, as Labor leader, must condemn the rooftop protest.

"They're dangerous," he said, adding police and emergency services would have spent $10,000 worth of resources "trying to get these idiots down from my roof".

"I think Mr Shorten should call these people out."

Mr Dutton also defended the Turnbull government's immigration policies.

The three protesters have been charged with obstructing police and unregulated high risk activity and will face court over the coming weeks.

The two onlookers, a 56-year-old man and 45-year-old woman, were charged with contravening a directive or requirement.