It was only last Friday that Scott Morrison stood in his private courtyard at Parliament House and declared Australia had to lift its game in its treatment of people with disabilities.

"We have to establish a culture of respect for people living with disabilities and the families who support, love and care for them," the Prime Minister said after announcing a royal commission into the abuse of the most vulnerable in our community.

Just one week later one of the government's most senior figures, Peter Dutton, is hardly leading by example.

The Home Affairs Minister has launched a grubby overnight attack on Ali France, his Labor opponent in the marginal Queensland seat of Dickson, accusing the amputee of "using her disability as an excuse" for not yet buying a home in the seat she wants to win at the May 18 election.