Controversial senator Fraser Anning is under fire for his attendance of a Melbourne rally organised by ultra-nationalists.
Senator Anning insists he was representing his constituents at this weekend's rally, and he claims his state is experiencing violence from African gangs.
The independent senator is charging taxpayers for his flights to the Saturday event at St Kilda's beach.
Defending his actions, Mr Anning said he has strong views about Muslim and Sudanese migrants.
"I would not bring any more Muslims or Sudanese in the country. I would put a ban on that. And if any of them committed a crime, I would be shipping them home to where they came from."
Last year in August in his maiden speech to parliament, Mr Anning first made the call for a ban on Muslim migration, and also urged a return to the White Australia policy.
He said criticism from his parliamentary colleagues that rally organisers and supporters were promoting racism and violence are unjustified.
"There was no racist rally," he told the Nine Network's Today Show, while also insisting he is not a racist himself.
"There were decent Australian people who demonstrated their dislike for what the Australian government has done which has allowed these people to come into this country and then bash people at random on the beaches, in their homes."
Video and images of the rally shows members and supporters of the United Patriots Front giving Nazi salutes.
Senator Anning said the people he chose to stand next to at the rally were not giving Nazi salutes.
"The people I was with weren't doing any Nazi salutes. There was a group about 100 metres down the road and I could hear all the yelling and screaming and I guess that is where they got all their footage from."
He distanced himself from rally co-organiser Blair Cottrell, who has a criminal record for racial vilification, violent assaults and trafficking testosterone.
Cottrell has also expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler, saying his portrait should be in every Australian classroom.
Senator Anning said he only met Blair Cottrell for the first time on Saturday at the rally.
"That was the first time I had ever seen or met that person was there on the day. And obviously I don't support any views like that. I'm a supporter of the Jewish community. And I fight hard for the Israelis as everyone knows, if you see what I've done in the Senate."
MPs united in condemnation
Political leaders from across the spectrum have condemned Senator Anning's actions.
He claims he is not seeking publicity, even though he admits he has little chance of being re-elected at the federal election in May.
"I just listen to the Australian people. The real Australian people. The hardworking people who are fed up with having these people come into the country, live on our welfare and then attack us."
Senator Anning uploaded several videos on Facebook with Cottrell, posing for photos and making inflammatory remarks about migration.
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said the senator's attendance at the rally was "disgusting".
"I think the vast majority of Australians would be disgusted to think their taxes are paying for an Australian senator to attend an event which seeks to divide, not unite our country," she told reporters in Sydney on Sunday.
While Prime Minister Scott Morrison took to Twitter to blast the "ugly racial protests", he was mum on Senator Anning.
Mr Morrison thanked the hundreds of Victorian police on hand for Saturday's event, while calling Australia the most successful migrant country in the world.
"This has been achieved by showing respect for each other, our laws and values and maintaining sensible immigrations policies," he tweeted.
Labor leader Bill Shorten condemned the event on Twitter but was also silent on Senator Anning.
However Treasurer Josh Frydenberg laid the boot in.
"Fraser Anning's appearance was unacceptable and he should not have participated in this divisive event," the senior Jewish MP told reporters.
He also labelled the use of the Nazi salute as "particularly repugnant and abhorrent".
Mr Frydenberg said it was up to the independent parliamentary entitlements authority as to whether it was an official parliamentary duty expense.
Independent Wentworth MP Kerryn Phelps says the rally should be called out for being a "demonstration by a neo-Nazi group".
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the government should refuse to take Senator Anning's vote after his involvement.
- with AAP
