One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has voiced support for the "strict zero-gross immigration policy" of the inhabitants of the North Sentinel Islands, who killed an American missionary with bows and arrows.

Senator Hanson lodged notice of a formal motion, which was denied by the Senate, calling for it to "support the desire of the Sentinelese people to protect their culture and way of life".

Thought to be the last remaining pre-Neolithic tribe, the Sentinelese people are known to attack outsiders who approach the island, which is about 1,200 kilometres from mainland India.

"Immigration can have a devastating impact on a people's culture and way of life," Senator Hanson said.

"You would be hard pressed to find a single expert who would argue against protecting the Sentinelese people's culture and way of life through limiting migration to their island.

American man John Chau (front) was killed by the tribespeople on North Sentinel Island. ( Instagram: jonachau )

"I for one will not be condemning the Sentinelese as racist for keeping their borders closed, nor will I condemn them for their lack of diversity.

"All people should have a right to decide their own fate, and I'm disappointed the Senate refused to join me in acknowledging this."

On an at times spiteful day in Parliament, which saw first-term MP Julia Banks leave the Liberal Party and Greens leader Richard Di Natale suspended, Senator Hanson's motion was criticised and quickly shot down.

"It is rankly hypocritical for Senator Hanson to pretend to be sticking up for people like the North Sentinelese given her record victimising and degrading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia," Greens senator Nick McKim said.

"I would also make the point this motion put forward by Senator Hanson is an attempt to exploit the North Sentinelese people for her own base political purposes, something the motion purports to stand against."

Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific, disputed the motion on technical grounds, saying "motions that can not be debated or amended should not deal with complex foreign policy matters".

"The North Sentinel Islands are governed by India," Senator Ruston said.

"The Australian Government does not comment on the domestic political security or immigration policies of other countries, but recognises and appreciates the efforts of the Indian Government to protect this unique environment and the people who live there."