Malcolm Turnbull has stopped short of defending Peter Dutton's comments about taking in persecuted white South African farmers, insisting Australia has a non-discriminatory humanitarian program.
Pretoria launched a formal protest and demanded an explanation from Canberra's high commissioner after the home affairs minister declared the farmers needed protection from a "civilised country".
Mr Turnbull was pressed on Friday about whether his government stood by Mr Dutton's comments.
"Our program is thoroughly non-discriminatory," the prime minister told reporters in Sydney.
"We have a very large community of Australians of South African ancestry, from every background, and they also make a phenomenal contribution to our very successful multicultural society."
Greens Leader Richard Di Natale claimed on Thursday that Mr Dutton was a "racist".
"It looks like Peter Dutton wants to bring back the White Australia policy," he told reporters in Melbourne.
"The bloke is an out and out racist. He's pitching to One Nation voters in Queensland."
Several coalition colleagues have defended Mr Dutton despite calls from South Africa for him to withdraw.
Pretoria flatly rejected his suggestion white farmers are facing "horrific circumstances".
Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar said suggestions Mr Dutton was being racist were "laughable".
South Africa has "demanded" that the Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton retract his comments about the country's white farmers.
AAP
