Senate calls on PM for 'lifestyle' apology

The Senate has urged the prime minister to apologise for saying indigenous people in remote communities have made a "lifestyle choice".

Tony Abbott made the comment during a visit to Western Australia last week, when he backed the Liberal state government's plan to close up to 150 of the communities, questioning whether taxpayers should be subsidising essential services.

When the plan was announced in November, WA Premier Colin Barnett said the state had no option because the Commonwealth had cut off funding, leaving a "parting gift" of $90 million.

On Tuesday, Greens Senator Rachel Siewert put forward a motion calling on Mr Abbott to apologise for the "insensitive" remarks and for the Senate to note the "anguish" that the proposed closures were causing.

Senator Siewart also called on the federal government to reinstate Municipal and Essential Services funding to WA and urged the Barnett government to abandon its plan.

The motion was carried without needing a vote.

Activists are ramping up a campaign against the closures.

Rallies will be held around the country on Thursday, including outside Parliament House in Canberra, as part of a national day of action.