Senate backs push for Arndt to lose honour

The Morrison government has backed the opposition's call for men's rights activist Bettina Arndt to be stripped of her Order of Australia.

Labor frontbenchers Penny Wong and Kristina Keneally passed a motion on Tuesday condemning Ms Arndt's comments about the murders of Queensland mum Hannah Clarke and her three children.

"Ms Arndt's comments are reckless and abhorrent," the motion read.

"The values that underpin Ms Arndt's views on this horrific family violence incident are not consistent with her retaining her Order of Australia."

Pauline Hanson and her One Nation colleague Malcolm Roberts were the only senators who voted against the motion.

Liberal frontbencher Jonathon Duniam said the government's support was not designed to interfere with the independence of the Australia Day Council, which is reviewing Ms Arndt's honour.

"Comments like those expressed by Ms Arndt are abhorrent and unacceptable," he told parliament.

"There are never any excuses or justifications for family violence or the evil that Hannah Clarke and her children experienced."

Ms Arndt came under heavy fire last week for congratulating Queensland police for keeping an open mind including the possibility that Ms Clarke's estranged husband Rowan Baxter might have been driven too far.

Senator Hanson said the motion was a direct attack on Ms Arndt and detective inspector Mark Thompson, who stood aside after a controversial press conference the day after the murders.

Det Insp Thompson said police were keeping an open mind about whether the deaths were a case of a "husband being driven too far by issues" or a woman and children suffering extreme domestic violence.

"It is the role of the police to investigate this unconscionable incident and that may very well include triggers that led to the event," the One Nation leader said.

But Senator Keneally said the motion was carefully crafted to avoid condemnation of police.

Earlier, she urged her upper house colleagues to "stand firm" and make it clear there was no excuse for family violence.

"There is nothing plain and simple about using your position with an Order of Australia to spread comments that could be seen to be inciting violence, that seem to be condoning violence," she told reporters.

Governor-General David Hurley has forwarded complaints about her Order of Australia to the body that manages the awards.