One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s senate motion denouncing 'anti-white racism' was narrowly defeated 31-28 on Monday afternoon, despite having the support of government senators.
Ms Hanson spoke to the motion, calling on the house to vote in support and 'acknowledge it is okay to be white'.
"Anyone who pays attention to the news or spends time on social media has to acknowledge that there has been a rise in anti-white racism and a rise in attacks on the very ideals of western civilisation," Ms Hanson said.
“It is indeed okay to be white. Such a simple sentence should go without saying but I suspect many members in this place would struggle to say it," she told parliament.
“People have a right to be proud of their cultural background whether they are black, white or brindle."
Greens leader Richard Di Natale fired back at her saying the roots of the phrase can't be ignored.
"The reality is this 'it's okay to be white' slogan has got a long history in the white supremacist movement where both these clowns get most of their material from," Senator Di Natale said.
"You know what it's not okay to be in this country? It's not okay to be Aboriginal, because you're more likely to die younger, to be locked up. It's not okay to be an African person, because you're more likely to experience racism."
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion voted in favour of the motion, as did Katter party senator Fraser Anning who came under fire for .
Former Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane labelled it as "yet another sign of hate being normalised".
Senator Di Natale said Ms Hanson’s motion did nothing but foster more division and hatred in the Australian community.
Crossbench senator Derryn Hinch agreed.
"This sort of racism is not only wrong, it could be dangerous,” he said.
"With the federal election looming I'm starting to think that Senator Hanson and her former colleague Senator Anning are now locked in a race to see who can be the biggest, the loudest, racist bigot in their contest to see who can get to the bottom of the sewer first. That's what this obscene motion is all about."
