Refugee groups have condemned a comment by an Australian mayor that illegal immigrants should be used for live target practice.

When the army is training they can use the recalcitrant illegal immigrants as live target practice

Port Lincoln mayor Peter Davis

Peter Davis, mayor of Port Lincoln in the state of South Australia, was responding to a proposal by a district councillor in the town that a detention centre for asylum seekers could be located in the region.

Mayor Davis told ABC radio: "The only place I would tolerate a detention centre is... in el Alamein [army training site] and that, in fact, when the army is training they can use the recalcitrant illegal immigrants as live target practice...

"It's time that more people stood behind (Immigration Minister) Phillip Ruddock and that we told these illegal immigrants to go home. We do not want them."

"I do not support our absorption of people of many different colours, creeds, races, religions. It is a recipe for disaster," he also told the Adelaide Advertiser.

'Disgusting' comments

The state premier, Mike Rann, has described the comments as "disgusting" and the director of the Australian Refugee Association, Kevin Liston, has said it is a huge slur on the nation's reputation.

"Obviously we've got a serious situation when a person in a public position expresses that kind of view. It needs to be rejected immediately by any thinking person in Australia".

But the mayor of neighbouring Port Augusta, a town close to the el Alamein army site where a new detention centre is being built, defended Mr Davis.

'Representative'

Joy Baluch argued that while she thought his comments went too far, they reflected the beliefs of the majority of Australians.

"Why don't you go into the front bar of the pubs? Why don't you go into the football clubs? Peter Davis isn't the only one making these types of comments. These comments are being made by Aussies who believe Australia should be kept free."

Mr Davis is well known for his controversial comments. In 1996, he sparked outrage by describing the children of mixed-race parents as "mongrels".