Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has been widely criticised for accusing his Labor opponent, Ali France, of using her disability as an "excuse" for not living in the electorate.

Key points: Peter Dutton says his Labor opponent, Ali France, can move into the electorate despite her disability

Peter Dutton says his Labor opponent, Ali France, can move into the electorate despite her disability Ms France's left leg was amputated above her knee and she needs a wheelchair-accessible home

Ms France's left leg was amputated above her knee and she needs a wheelchair-accessible home Disability groups and the Labor Party have criticised Mr Dutton's comments as offensive

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended his senior minister, saying he did not believe Mr Dutton was using her disability as the basis of a political attack.

Ms France, Labor's candidate for the south-east Queensland seat of Dickson, had her left leg amputated above her knee after a car crashed into her at a shopping centre in 2011.

She lives in the neighbouring electorate and said she has been looking for a wheelchair accessible home in Dickson.

In response to her comments, Mr Dutton told The Australian there were plenty of people living with a disability in the seat of Dickson.

"A lot of people have raised this with me. I think they are quite angry that Ms France is using her disability as an excuse for not moving into our electorate," Mr Dutton said.

"Ali has been telling people that even if she won the election she won't move into our electorate. She has now changed that position, but I don't think it is credible."

Mr Morrison said Mr Dutton's comments had been "taken out of context" by his political opponents.

"What Peter is clearly saying there, is an allegation was being made that a person could not find disability accommodation in Peter's electorate in Dickson," Mr Morrison said.

"What I'm saying is and he is saying is there are places there and that it would be wrong to suggest there aren't."

Scott Morrison said Peter Dutton's comments were taken out of context. ( ABC News: Andrew Kennedy )

But chief executive of disability service group Community Connections Dougie Herd said Mr Dutton's comments were insensitive and offensive.

"I am completely appalled and I simply cannot imagine what universe Peter Dutton thinks an amputee would use her disability to get an advantage out of life," he said.

"It is bizarre and it is offensive."

Shorten calls for apology

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the comments were offensive and called on the Prime Minister to urge Mr Dutton to apologise.

"How can you launch a personal attack on a person who has suffered an above-the-knee amputation trying to protect their child?," Mr Shorten said.

"And then say somehow they are exploiting that."

Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek (right) called Mr Dutton a hypocrite over his criticism of Labor candidate Ali France (left). ( AAP: Glenn Hunt )

In 2009, Mr Dutton attempted to gain preselection for a seat on the Gold Coast but lost to the now Liberal minister Karen Andrews.

Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek called Mr Dutton a hypocrite and said Ms France's home was "a lot closer to the electorate than Peter Dutton's Gold Coast mansion".

She said it was "ridiculous" for Mr Dutton and the Prime Minister to blame the comments on anonymous sources.

"I hear from some people that Peter Dutton is a horrible human being — put that on the record," Ms Plibersek said.

Mr Shorten said the comments may signal Mr Dutton was feeling some pressure in the marginal seat of Dickson, which he holds with a margin of 1.7 per cent.

"When you are an above-the-knee amputee, you can't just have a shower like anyone else, you can't just move around your kitchen," Mr Shorten said.

"She had to modify her house because it can be so draining sometimes, she uses a wheelchair in her house so she has all her energy for outside the house.

"I think Mr Morrison should make his colleague apologise."