IF there’s one thing all politicians should know about the internet, it’s that every gaffe - big or small - will see the unleashing of an almighty p*ss-take.

The Immigration Minister’s cringeworthy comment today proved to be no exception.

Earlier today Peter Dutton, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Social Services Minister Scott Morrison were waiting in Parliament House for a meeting to begin on community assistance for the 12,000 Syrian refugees Australia is to take in.

With the meeting behind schedule, Peter Dutton said it was running to “Cape York time”, to which Mr Abbott said “we had a bit of that up in Port Moresby.”

Peter Dutton then responded saying: “Time doesn’t mean anything when you’re about to have water lapping at your door”, in reference to yesterday’s South Pacific Forum.

Cue the awkward moment where Scott Morrison then alerts them to the enormous television microphone hanging overhead.

It wasn’t long before #Dutton and #boomgate were trending at number one on Twitter, and a series of jokes and memes were being unleashed about the Immigration Minister’s unfortunate comment.

You can actually pinpoint the moment when Immigration Minister Peter Dutton realises the microphone is on. pic.twitter.com/OUfJlFaZBt — Alice Workman (@workmanalice) September 11, 2015

Great pic of Pacific Islanders hearing Peter #Dutton's climate change joke pic.twitter.com/KoqWCqro2u — John Johnsonson (@JohnJohnsonson) September 11, 2015

Knock knock. Who's there? Career Ending Mike. Career Ending Mike who? Career Ending Microphone, just above your head. HAHAHAHAHA. #Dutton — James Raynes (@jimmyraynes) September 11, 2015

But not everyone was laughing, with some quick to point out the severity of the actual issue behind Dutton’s joke.

because having your whole country wiped off the map by sea level rise is *hilarious* #dutton #TheresABoomUpThere — Scott Ludlam (@SenatorLudlam) September 11, 2015

I love how Dutton's defence to #boomgate is that his comments were private, rather than completely inappropriate #auspoI — politics (@pollwatcher9) September 11, 2015

Worst part of #boomgate is that it shows Abbott and Dutton know climate change is real, but don't care. They find it funny. #auspol — Stephen (@TheAviator1992) September 11, 2015

At a later press conference, Mr Dutton refused to answer questions about the incident, saying: “I had a private conversation with the Prime Minister. I don’t intend to comment.”

The gaffe was also criticised by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who described it as “a bad joke by a minister who is a bad joke.”