The newly re-elected MP for the Sydney seat of Bennelong, John Alexander, says he did not intend to offend anyone with his joke about disabled parking permits during his victory speech.

Speaking about an injury he had sustained during his tennis career, Mr Alexander last night quipped that he wouldn't be desperate enough to apply for a parking permit - a comment that was widely disparaged.

"I thought my tennis career was over 'cause I hurt my back, I started coaching there at one point, and then my back got better," Mr Alexander said in his speech.

"I was actually eligible for the disabled sticker on my car, and then I got to about number 14 in the world and the doctor at the time said 'You have eligibility for a disabled sticker'.

"I said, 'I still have some pride'."

John Alexander. (AAP)

Today, Mr Alexander defended his comments.

"You can be mischievous with your interpretation, but my point was that no-one who doesn't really need it should not have it," he said.

Labor demanded he apologise, but Mr Alexander said he did not intend to disparage anyone.

He said if anyone was offended, then he apologised, but said "no-one has done more for people with disabilities than I have".

Disability advocates including Paralympic legend Kurt Fearnley have slammed Mr Alexander's ignorance.

"I'm not one to get offended, and I'm not offended. Cause I choose not to be offended by the ignorant," Fearnley tweeted.

"But I spend my life convincing disabled kids that they are awesome. Then they hear that. You're kidding yourself if you think that language is OK."

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull defended Mr Alexander, who returned the government's majority with the win in the by-election forced by him being a dual citizen.

"John has already said that those people who were offended, he apologises, John is a great Australian with a big heart."