Peter Dutton has slammed a controversial new Greens candidate for his views on the government’s asylum seeker policy.

Human rights lawyer Julian Burnside QC has announced he will take on Treasurer Josh Frydenburg in the seat of Kooyong.

Mr Burnside is being criticised for saying it’s unclear how many people have died as a result of the government’s asylum seeker policy.

He told Sky News turning back boats “makes Australia a people smuggler, contrary to our own law”.

“When you send people back to Indonesia, we are people smuggling.”

But Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton tells Ben Fordham the comments are “truly dangerous”.

“It’s sick and warped, to be honest. I think it’s all about publicity seeking.

“The fact is the vast majority of Australians support strong border protection.”

Mr Dutton says we should be focusing on how many died at sea before the policy was implemented.

Click PLAY to hear the full interview