Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has labelled the Bill Leak's cartoon in The Australian "racist", saying he was appalled by the publication.

Key points: The Australian editor-in-chief says cartoon helps people examine issues

The Australian editor-in-chief says cartoon helps people examine issues Senator Scullion says it was 'tasteless' to publish cartoon on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day

Senator Scullion says it was 'tasteless' to publish cartoon on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day Cory Bernadi draws comparisons to the Je suis Charlie movement

"Although Australian cartoonists have a rich tradition of irreverent satire, there is absolutely no place for depicting racist stereotypes," Mr Scullion said.

The cartoon portrays an Aboriginal man holding a beer can, not remembering his son's name as an Indigenous police officer grabs the boy by his collar.

The Australian editor-in-chief Paul Whittaker defended the cartoon, citing comments made by Indigenous leaders this week, including Noel Pearson on Lateline who said: "Blackfellas have got to take charge and take responsibility for their own children. That part of the message really struggles to get traction."

"The Australian is proud of its long-standing and detailed contribution to our national debate over the crucial issues in Indigenous affairs," Whittaker said in a statement.

"The current controversy over juvenile detention in the Northern Territory has lifted these matters to the forefront of national attention again.

"Bill Leak's confronting and insightful cartoons force people to examine the core issues in a way that sometimes reporting and analysis can fail to do."

The cartoon by was published on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day.

Senator Scullion said it was "particularly tasteless" to publish the cartoon on a day where Australians should be celebrating and showing their support for Indigenous Australians.

"I would urge the Australian to be more aware of the impact cartoons like the one published today can have on Indigenous communities," he said.

The Greens, NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency chief have all criticised the cartoon.

"I am heartened that various voices from across the political and social spectrum have come out and strongly condemned the cartoon," Senator Scullion said.

Cartoon critics 'hypocrites': Bernardi

Liberal senator Cory Bernardi responded to Senator Scullion's comments, telling the ABC in a brief statement there were "too many Je suis Charlie hypocrites".

Je suis Charlie was tweeted millions of times after gunmen launched an attack on the French magazine Charlie Hebdo in January 2015 and the slogan was used by marchers who walked the streets of Paris after the incident.

It translated to "I am Charlie" and was used to show solidarity with the magazine after 12 people were killed and 11 were injured in the Charlie Hebdo Building.

The magazine is known for pushing the line on cartoons and has published satirical cartoons on Islam and Syrian refugees.

Earlier on Thursday, One Nation senator-elect Malcolm Roberts called for a change to the Racial Discrimination Act, arguing it was "curbing free speech", and citing section 18C.

Attorney-General George Brandis ruled out a change, saying the Government's position remained as it had been since September 2014, telling 7.30 "that issue is off the table".

Senator Bernardi responded saying the "18C repeal is not off my agenda".