Immigration Minister Peter Dutton came under fire this week for saying innumerate and illiterate refugees "would be taking Australian jobs" or remain unemployed and "languish in unemployment queues and on Medicare".

The ABC caught up with a few people outside an awards dinner Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten were attending in Western Sydney and asked them what they thought about the Immigration Minister's comments.

Luke — Sydney

Luke from Western Sydney thought Peter Dutton's comments were concerning ( ABC News: Dan Conifer )

What do you think about Peter Dutton's comments on refugees taking Australian jobs?

Concerning. Australian jobs are a big issue for me. I'm an employer and trying to find good tradesmen for our industry is difficult, so if we have to source from overseas it's more a reflection on our education system. Why do have to outsource what we've already got here? Let's look inwards rather than outwards.

Should Australia take more refugees, fewer, or the same amount?

I don't really know what's the right number … I think if they're going to be coming over here to Australia do it the right way not the wrong way.

Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten?

I really don't know.

Moses — Lakemba

Moses from Lakemba thought that the Immigration Minister's comments made no sense ( ABC News: Dan Conifer )

What do you think about Peter Dutton's comments on refugees taking Australian jobs?

I've heard what he said — makes no sense at all.

Should Australia take more refugees, fewer, or the same amount?

Take refugees but the right way … As a migrant I waited four years in line and I got here eventually, which is excellent.

Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten?

I go with Shorten, I'm a Labor man … not as a person but as a system.

Hala — Perth

Hala from Perth said that she would "prefer Labor over Liberal anytime." ( ABC News: Dan Conifer )

What do you think about Peter Dutton's comments on refugees taking Australian jobs?

Those refugees that come to here, they left the country for a reason, they don't want to come here to take over Australia. They left because of the war ... lots of families, lots of kids, their hearts are breaking, you know, so we should let more in.

Should Australia take more refugees, fewer, or the same amount?

Yes, for such a big country.

Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten?

None of them. [But] … I prefer Labor over Liberal anytime.

Paula — Greenacre

Paula from Greencare said that "if someone's going to come and take our work...it's not worth it." ( ABC News: Dan Conifer )

What do you think about Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's comments on refugees taking Australian jobs?

I don't like it at all. What about the Australians that were born here like myself? It's going to be harder and harder to find full-time jobs.

My parents were from overseas they came here with nothing to give us a good life here, and if someone's going to come and take our work, our job, then it's not worth it.

Should Australia take more refugees, fewer, or the same amount?

It's very hard. Because I feel sorry for them in one way, but then who are we letting into the country? We just don't know. So it's 50-50 I guess.

Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten?

I guess probably Shorten and Labor.

I think that Liberals are more for the rich and I guess Labor would be more for us hopefully, fingers crossed, you never know.

Regine — Bankstown

Regine from Bankstown thought that Peter Dutton's comments were "ignorant" ( ABC News: Dan Conifer )

What do you think about Peter Dutton's comments on refugees taking Australian jobs?

I just think it's ignorant. Anything Dutton says these days we can really take with a grain of salt.

Should Australia take more refugees, fewer, or the same amount?

I think in comparison to many other countries around the world we don't take enough so the more the merrier in my opinion.

Malcolm Turnbull or Bill Shorten?

[Greens leader Richard] Di Natale. Because as a teacher I think … education is important and we need to fund our public schools.