Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has apologised for voting for a One Nation motion which declared "it is OK to be white", acknowledging that it "downplays racism and historic injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians".

It comes after prominent Indigenous leaders called on him to resign yesterday for voting for the motion.

The motion, moved by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson yesterday, called on the Senate to acknowledge the "deplorable rise of anti-white racism and attacks on Western civilisation" and that "it is OK to be white" — a phrase commonly used by white supremacists.

It was narrowly defeated 28 votes to 31, despite the Coalition's backing.

The Government's Senate Leader Mathias Cormann blamed an "administrative error".

That was echoed by Senator Scullion today.

"I deplore any and all forms of racism and I have never supported or defended any form of racism in my life," Mr Scullion said.

"As acknowledged by Matthias there was an error in the Senate vote yesterday.

"In fact, my own understanding was that the Government would be voting against this motion.

"I was unaware that when we entered the Senate to vote that it was on this particular motion.

"I am sorry for any suggestion that either I, my colleagues or the Government supports any form of racism and I categorically reject any implication contained in yesterday's motion that downplays racism and historic injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians."

The motion was recommitted for another vote in the Senate today. The Government voted against the motion, and it was defeated on the voices.

Indigenous Australians call for Minister to resign

Mr Scullion's vote was condemned yesterday, with prominent Indigenous Australians calling his position into question.

Loading

Indigenous businessman Sean Gordon called on Mr Scullion to explain his position and for the Minister and his advisor to step down.

"It didn't just play down the continual injustices committed toward Indigenous people," he wrote on Twitter.

"It completely justified the practices and crimes of the White Australia Policy era! Where segregation and discrimination were sanctioned and endorsed by governments."

Megan Davis, a human rights lawyer, pro vice chancellor of the University of NSW and an NRL commissioner, said Mr Scullion's position in the Indigenous affairs portfolio was "untenable".

"This is rotten to the core," Professor Davis wrote on Twitter.

Lester Rigney, a professor of education at the University of South Australia, also joined the calls.

"His vote for white racism in the Australian Parliament as Aboriginal Affairs minister is untenable #wontworkwithnigel," Dr Rigney tweeted.