Police have charged a 19-year-old man after he allegedly punched a photographer and heckled a female journalist at a news conference called by Senator Fraser Anning at the site of the Cronulla riots.

Key points: The Senator chose Cronulla, the scene of race riots in 2005, to announce NSW candidates for his party

The Senator chose Cronulla, the scene of race riots in 2005, to announce NSW candidates for his party Reporters were heckled by Mr Anning's supporters after they challenged him on his claims about Muslims

Reporters were heckled by Mr Anning's supporters after they challenged him on his claims about Muslims Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he found the attack "absolutely appalling"

Senator Anning chose the provocative location in Sydney's south to introduce NSW candidates for his party, Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party.

Anning supporters heckled journalists during the news conference, including local reporter Eliza Barr.

When the press conference ended, Ms Barr was followed out of the park where one of Anning's supporters made derogatory remarks.

When News Corp photographer Dylan Robinson attempted to take photos of him, the man lunged at him, throwing punches.

Mr Robinson's shirt was badly torn in the altercation.

NSW Police charged the Randwick man with common assault, intimidation and behaving in an offensive manner.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on May 16.

The controversial Senator was in Cronulla, the scene of the 2005 riots, to launch his NSW Senate team and a local candidate, former One Nation councillor Peter Cook, for the seat of Cook — a seat currently held by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The 19-year-old was granted strict conditional bail and will face court in May. ( AAP: Joel Carrett )

Ms Barr, who has previously attracted harsh comments from far-right conservatives for her reporting, was heckled after she challenged the Senator's claims about Muslims.

During the press conference, Senator Anning spoke against Muslim immigration and said Sudanese gangs were terrorising Sydney but declined to outline any evidence to support the claim.

"I don't need to," he said.

"I have police reports. I can give you those if you like."

Footage of the attack showed the 19-year-old man repeatedly punching Mr Robinson before bystanders intervened.

The photographer, his shirt badly torn, continued to take photos of his alleged attacker as he walked away.

Photographer Dylan Robinson was trying to photograph the supporter prior to being punched. ( ABC News: Nick Dole )

A short time later, police detained the young man and took him to Sutherland Police station in the back of a police vehicle.

The alleged attacks on Mr Robinson and Ms Barr were condemned by the Prime Minister, who said "that behaviour has no place in Australia".

"I find it absolutely appalling," he said.

"And his [Senator Anning] number — he is placed last on my ticket, on our party's ticket."

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 35 seconds 35 s Scott Morrison comments on attack on photojournalist

'It's pretty hard to take responsibility'

Responding to Mr Morrison's announcement, Senator Anning told a media conference in Brisbane on Friday afternoon he could not believe, "The leader of what is supposedly a conservative party would preference a Christian conservative party … behind the toxic mix of the Labor and the Greens".

Senator Anning said he thought it was in response to his attempt to introduce a bill for a plebiscite on non-European immigration which had upset the Government.

"It's terrible when a government is very upset that the Australian people may have a say about how their country is run and who their neighbours are going to be," he said.

Senator Anning said he had heard about the altercation in Cronulla but had already left the area and had not seen what happened.

The 19-year-old remains in custody at Sutherland Police Station. ( ABC News: Nick Dole )

"Absolutely I condemn any violence. I've never advocated for any violence of any sort to anyone and I'll continue to do that and all my members would continue to do that," he said.

Asked if he felt responsible for the altercation, Mr Anning replied: "It's pretty hard to take responsibility for somebody's actions.

"People do silly things from all walks of life and … I don't know what went down or what led up to it.

"If he was hit first I guess he has a right to protect himself like anyone else does, but if he's just assaulted somebody then obviously he wouldn't be welcome in my party."

Journalist just 'doing her job'

Peter Kelly, the Conservative National candidate, said he had left before the scuffle occurred but did see police officers approaching the park.

He also condemned any violence and abuse thrown towards reporters.

"I find name calling to be particularly abhorrent," Mr Kelly said.

"She [Ms Barr] is doing her job, as is her right."

A News Corp spokesperson said the, "safety of our staff, and their ability to report on news events unhindered is of utmost importance to us and is a fundamental right for all journalists".

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, a union representing journalists, described the alleged attack as "absolutely shocking".

"It's completely unacceptable in a democracy for journalists to be physically threatened or assaulted in the course of doing their job," it said in a statement.

"Journalists perform an important role holding politicians to account, they deserve to be able to ask questions in complete safety."