The action has been launched by seven asylum seekers who survived the 2010 Christmas Island boat disaster, in which 50 people died.
The youngest victim of the December 15 incident was three-months-old.
Mr Morrison said the claim “beggars belief”.
“This is like someone saved from a fire suing the firemen,” he said.
“… I’m just frankly shocked and stunned that such a claim would be brought.”
Mr Morrison initially told parliament about the action last night, where he outlined his support for authorities involved in the rescue.
"(They) have our absolute respect and our absolute confidence and they have been rightly praised for their heroism and their bravery," Mr Morrison said.
George Newhouse from Shine Lawyers, the firm acting for the Australia-based asylum seekers, dismissed the comments as ignorant.
Mr Newhouse said the government had a duty of care to rescue asylum seekers at sea, criticising the lack of functioning rescue vessels on the day of incident.
"On the morning in question, there were rescue vessels on Christmas Island, but they didn't work," he told ABC television.
"... Those poor navy officers would not have had to put their lives at risk if the [boats] had been working properly."
He said the matter was expected to come before court within weeks.
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