Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull does not accept students with autism should be segregated from mainstream classrooms.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson suggested in parliament this week children with autism should be removed from mainstream classes because they were holding back other children.

After widespread backlash, the Senator refused to apologise, instead re-phrasing her comments on Thursday.

Mr Turnbull referred to the comments — without mentioning Senator Hanson’s name — saying it was important children with disabilities were given the maximum opportunity to do their best in the classroom.

“I know there’s been the suggestion there should be some sort of segregation – we do not accept that, we reject that,” he told 2GB’s Chris Smith on Friday.

Senator Hanson was strongly criticised by Labor and the Greens on Thursday, but Education Minister Simon Birmingham denies coalition MPs were told to remain silent during final negotiations on the so-called Gonski 2.0 package.

“Absolutely not,” he told ABC radio.

Senator Birmingham said he didn’t agree with the way Senator Hanson put some of her remarks.

“But I absolutely respect the fact she voted for our reforms last night,” he said.

– AAP