She told the chamber: “It is indeed OK to be white. Such a simple sentence should go without saying but I suspect many members in this place would struggle to say it. People have a right to be proud of their cultural background whether they're black, white or brindle." Loading The brindle people of the world will be happy. They have Pauline Hanson at their back. But alas for Hanson, the vote was defeated 31 to 28. That it was so close, according to the Coalition, was because of an administrative error. Those silly senators just did what they were told from head office. This may be a wonderful example of party unity, but it sure isn’t smart. Indeed, it’s idiotic. Did all Coalition senators think, on reading Hanson’s motion this week, Yes fair enough too. We’re with her. Right, onto the next motion: “It’s OK to be brindle.”

But, like waking up the next morning after the drunken night before, a certain clarity broke through the haze. No. It was all a big mistake. We didn’t like it, not one little bit a few weeks ago and now we’ll go back today and make it right, which is what they did moving another motion nullifying the previous day’s indiscretion. The Finance Minister and government leader in the Senate, Mathias Cormann, tried his hand at contrition. "As a result of an administrative process failure, the government senators in the chamber ended up, on advice, voting in support of the motion," he said. Illustration: Matt Golding Credit: "I take responsibility for that error and I'm sorry that that happened. It is indeed regrettable." Indeed Mathias, it is. Prime Minister Scott Morrison wasn’t happy, either. He also described it as “regrettable”.

As surely as night follows day, with the regrets came the apologies. Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion found himself to be gobsmacked that a fellow called Nigel Scullion could vote the way he did. “I was unaware that when we entered the Senate to vote that it was on this particular motion,” he said. "I am sorry for any suggestion that either I, my colleagues or the Government supports any form of racism.” Here’s a thought, minister: wake up. For surely the kindest interpretation that can be given to you and your colleagues is sleepwalking. But really, that an Indigenous affairs minister voted to endorse the motion, despite the backtracking, displays at best incompetence and at worst a callous disregard for their portfolio. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The Attorney-General, Christian Porter, also offered an explanation. It was all a case of misinterpretation. Really? Not to put too fine a point on it Christian, but how could anything from Pauline Hanson be misinterpreted? She is, and I’m sure she wouldn’t disagree, the straightest arrow in the quiver. What you see is what you get.