Liberal Senators Kerrynne Liddle and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price didn't vote on the federal government's hate speech laws on Tuesday night, with Senator Price arguing she would have voted against the "ill-considered laws" if she had been in the chamber — despite the Opposition agreeing to pass them.

The hate speech measures, which were split from gun control legislation and scaled back following criticism from the Coalition and the Greens, ultimately passed the Senate with the support of Labor and Liberal senators on Tuesday evening after they were approved by the Coalition shadow cabinet.

Three senior Nationals senators, Bridget McKenzie, Ross Cadell and Susan McDonald, crossed the floor on Tuesday night before resigning from their frontbench positions on Wednesday after breaching shadow cabinet rules.

However, Senator Liddle, a member of the Coalition shadow frontbench, and Senator Price did not vote on the final bill. Both were present at parliament house on Tuesday night, but Hansard records show neither voted on the third reading shortly before 11 pm.

While Senator Liddle abstained, Senator Price — who has been outspoken in her criticism of the government and publicly condemned an earlier version of the laws last week — said she would have voted against the bill had she been in the chamber. However, it is understood she was unable to get in before the Senate doors closed, therefore missing the vote.

After queries from National Indigenous Times, Senator Price said she "could not, in good faith" support the legislation, calling it "rushed and reckless".

"However, I am determined to continue to call out Anthony Albanese for the appalling way in which he rammed this shocking bill through the parliament without proper consideration or scrutiny, and for forcing ill-considered laws on the Australian people," Senator Price said.

"The legislation contains a flawed hate crime definition that is incredibly broad in scope. I'm concerned it could be weaponised. And I'm worried about the unforeseen consequences of this legislation and its ramifications for free speech."

Her position on the bill comes despite being outspoken in her criticism of radical Islam and the government's handling of antisemitism. Nonetheless, she argued she had been contacted by "many Australians of Jewish faith" who had issues with the bill.

The Northern Territory Senator claimed the complaints centred on the legislation failing to address the "root causes of antisemitism". She argued the real issue lies in current laws across the country not being adequately enforced.

"Labor's spin doctors are working overtime to portray the Coalition as weak for its response to this ill-considered and ineffective legislation," Senator Price said.

"But I'll tell you what is truly weak: a government that, for more than 800 days, lacked the moral clarity and political leadership to come down hard on the perpetrators of antisemitism."

Whilst it is not incumbent on Liberal frontbenchers to vote for the bill in its final form, several did. Senator Liddle, who is the Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians, voted on several amendments during the evening but did not vote on the final passage of the bill.

A spokesperson for Senator Liddle told National Indigenous Times the South Australian Senator supports the Shadow Cabinet's decision to back the government's legislation.

The spokesperson said Senator Liddle is "pleased to see, after significant pressure from the Coalition, that the Government has blocked radical Islamist extremist preachers and teachers from spreading hate".

"Senator Liddle and the Liberal Party will always act to keep Australians safe, defend freedoms and put the national interest first," they added.

Unlike in the Labor Party, Coalition backbenchers are allowed to cross the floor on legislation. Senator Price was demoted from the opposition frontbench last year and has previously said will continue to speak out on issues — including migration and freedom of speech.

In her statement, she claimed the Prime Minister had used the Bondi attacks to "ram through legislation to curtail and control speech because he wants to shut down debate on key policy issues, like mass immigration".

"Two questions linger in my mind," she said.

"Why did the government rush to pass this legislation instead of taking the time to get it right? And given that rush, what is the government trying to hide?"

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister said his government would not pursue racial vilification reforms, despite criticism from within his own Labor ranks, citing the government's lack of control in the Senate.

The government initially drafted broader hate speech laws following the Bondi massacre, aimed at cracking down on the promotion of hatred and racial supremacy.

However, the initial proposals were abandoned after the Coalition raised free speech concerns and the Greens pushed for the legislation to be expanded to cover other marginalised groups. The government must rely on either the Opposition or minor parties to pass legislation in the Senate.

Among the recommendations of Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal was the creation of a serious vilification offence for the public promotion of hatred and antisemitic sentiment — a reform the government had previously committed to. Mr Albanese said it was up to the Coalition to explain why it voted against laws it had campaigned for stricter laws following the Bondi attack.

Asked on Wednesday whether he would revisit the reforms, he said it was a matter for other parties.

"It's a matter of maths, and there is not support for it," he said. "And I accept that. I'm a pragmatic political leader. I'm getting real things done."