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A controversial senator has admitted taxpayers funded his flight to Melbourne so he could attend a far-right rally targeting African crime gangs.

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning says he was representing Queenslanders when he stood with far-right activists Blair Cottrell and Neil Erikson at St Kilda beach on Saturday afternoon amid outrage from anti-fascism protesters.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was one of many politicians to voice his disgust at the rally, thanking Victoria Police for dealing with the 'ugly racial protests', which saw members of the public march around performing the Nazi salute.

But, Mr Anning says he has been miscategorised and that left-wing activists were the only 'extremists' he saw.

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Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning (pictured) has billed taxpayers for return flights to Melbourne to attend Saturday afternoon's rally against African gang crime

Mr Anning also says it was his duty as a Queensland politician to attend the event, which was originally advertised as a 'non-violent political meeting'.

'I went to Melbourne to represent the people of Queensland who have also been subjected to African Gang violence recently,' a statement attributed to Mr Anning read on Sunday morning.

'These issues are not just confined to Melbourne anymore, as we have seen they are rapidly spreading to my own state. 

Independent Queensland senator Fraser Anning (left) was seen with far-right convicted criminal Blair Cottrell (right) but says his presence doesn't mean endorsement

'My presence at the event should in no way be considered an endorsement by me on the views of other speakers or attendees. 

'However, the truth is that attempts to claim that this rally was a "far right" event appear to be left wing media attempts to distract attention form the purpose of the protest - African gang violence. 

'I didn't see any people there who appeared to be radicals. There were no skinheads, just ordinary working people who'd had enough. 

'The only people who were doing Nazi salutes were the far left extremists one hundred metres away who came to try to disrupt a peaceful rally.'

A senator who claimed he had no understanding of the implications of the term the 'final solution' when he was admonished appeared at a far-right protest today alongside far-right extremists who performed Nazi salutes (pictured)

Ugly violence erupted between far-right supporters, some of which were seen performing the Nazi salute (pictured) and counter-protesters on Saturday

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said the senator’s attendance at the rally was 'disgusting'.

'I think the vast majority of Australians would be disgusted to think their taxes are paying for an Australian senator to attend an event which seeks to divide, not unite our country,' she told media in Sydney on Sunday.

Mr Morrison, in a separate social media statement, said that division brought on by the rally makes the country weaker.

'Australia is the most successful migrant country in the world. This has been achieved by showing respect for each other, our laws and values and maintaining sensible immigration policies.'

A statement from opposition leader Bill Shorten's office shared the sentiment, reading: 'Here and around the world, right-wing extremists are turning this into a political art form.

'Australia won't achieve any of what our nation's great destiny can be by pulling the racist lever.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the 'ugly racial protests' in St Kilda on Saturday

Politicians are urging Mr Morrison to reject Mr Anning's vote in the senate

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young slammed Mr Anning on Twitter, imploring the prime minister to disregard his vote in the senate

'The government should refuse to take Fraser Anning’s vote. 

'Hanging out and supporting with neo-Nazis who are inciting violence is inexcusable.'

Labor MP Tim Watts condemned racism after saying: ''Around 100 neo-Nazis, white nationalists and racial supremacists rallied in St Kilda accompanied by an Australian Senator.'

Former senator Derryn Hinch was among a number of public figures to condemn Mr Anning's attendance at the rally personally.

'I have chastised Fraser Anning in the Senate for his racism, anti-abortion clinic exclusion zones and Hitler's Final Solution. His appearance in support of the neo-Nazis in St. Kilda today topped his calumny,' Mr Hinch said. 

Cottrell (pictured) threatened to rally again 'outside Premier Daniel Andrews office' if he does not agree to address what he describes as a 'violent crime epidemic'

Mr Anning said he hoped Saturday's clashes between far-right and anti-racism protesters on Melbourne's St Kilda beach would lead to a 'revolution'. 

He stated that if he were elected as prime minister, he would refuse entry to any immigrants of African descent as well as Muslims, but is not against allowing Chinese and Indians in, as long as they don't outnumber Europeans.

'I think this is the start of something bigger, I think the revolution will eventually start and these people have got to be sent back to where they came from,' Mr Anning said. 

'It's the beginning. We Australians are very slow to act, we just react.'

Mr Anning was previously dismissed from his post with Bob Katter's Australian Party after referring to a 'final solution' during his maiden parliamentary speech.

At the time, he claimed he was unaware of the term's connection to Nazi Germany.

Saturday's rally was organised by a number of people who themselves are referred to as neo-Nazis, and multiple rally-goers were even seen giving the Nazi salute at numerous times throughout the day. 

Senator Anning, pictured at the rally, says left-wing activists were giving the Nazi salute

Right-wing activist and convicted criminal Blair Cottrell (pictured) had previously called for a picture of Adolf Hitler to be hung in Australian classrooms and was seen alongside Mr Anning

United Patriots Front founder Blair Cottrell was seen alongside Mr Anning on numerous occasions, including when the rural QLD senator was preparing to address media. 

'These are Australian people showing their disgust with the Australian government for allowing garbage like these Sudanese thugs to come into our country and belting our innocent women and children,' Mr Anning said.

'All Australians have to eventually get over their political correctness and stand up and fight back.'  

That sentiment echoes Cottrell's announcement after the riots - which he deemed a 'great success' despite the violence.

Cottrell threatened to rally again 'outside Premier Daniel Andrews office' if he does not agree to address what Cottrell describes as a 'violent crime epidemic'. 

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

Police turned out in droves to ensure the event stayed as controlled as possible

A spokesperson from Victoria Police told Daily Mail Australia they respect the public's right to protest peacefully but would not tolerate any law breaking

The protest, which promised to 'make Australia safe again' from African gangs, did in fact turn violent, with three right-wing protesters arrested throughout the day.

One teenager was found to be carrying a weapon, while two others were arrested for their behaviour during the rioting.

Cottrell, whose extensive rap sheet includes violent assaults, arson and trafficking testosterone, described multiculturalism as 'dividing and destabilising', before promising to join the rally.

He, alongside event organiser Neil Erikson, demanded to know why African gang crime rates are 'through the roof' while claiming that nothing is being done about it. 

Campaign Against Racism and Fascism spokeswoman Tess Dimos disagreed, saying despite claims there is an 'African gang crisis', African youths are systematically targeted. 

'There is no credibility to the gang violence, it's all a hyped-up image showing crime from African youths.'

The protesting disintegrated into violence and rioting as the day progressed. Three people in total were arrested for their anti-social behaviour

That sentiment echoes one that was previously addressed by prominent lawyer and community advocate Nyadol Nyuon, who took to social media to share her concerns ahead of the scheduled event.

'Neil and Blair have been referred to as ''activists'', ''concerned citizens'' or merely ''controversial'',' Ms Nyuon began. '[These] terms neglect their racist and violent incitements.'

'If we were to hold a demonstration against racism, some mainstream outlets would be calling us 'ungrateful' to be in Australia and to leave if we didn't like it.'

'Yet a racist rally, led by convicted criminals, can go ahead with their leaders enjoying media coverage that cast them as having legitimate concerns, and who will find support from free speech worries insisting on their rights to effectively harass black peoples,' Ms Nyuon said.

'In the meantime, we get to call and inform family members and our community to stay away from the beaches this Saturday - in summer.'

The protest, which was advertised as a 'non-violent political meeting' to 'make Australia safe again' from African gangs, did in fact turn violent, with three right-wing protesters arrested throughout the day

Scores of riot police (pictured) were dispatched to St Kilda beach to break up any conflicts. They were a part of a multi-faceted police operation

Maker Mayek, a lawyer and principle of Mayek Legal, told Daily Mail Australia the protest is 'extremely dangerous, not only for the members of the African community, but for beach-goers, residents of St Kilda and surrounding areas.'   

'The protests are likely to inflame fears and tensions in race relations which suffered greatly as a result of the sensationalist reporting and dog-whistling we saw in 2018. The last thing we want to see in this country is another Cronulla.'

Erikson also briefly spoke, accusing authorities of removing social media posts and stifling the number of people the event reached online. 

'Good to see regular Aussies here and no Nazis,' he said, shortly before a follower marched from the beach while performing the Nazi salute.