AFP

Australia on Tuesday threatened to boycott a United Nations racism conference, fearing it would descend into a "re-run of an anti-Jewish anti-Semitic harangue".

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said Australia had been wary of joining preparations for "Durban II", due to be held in Geneva from April 20, after the "regrettable" outcome of the first conference.

"People should please understand this : if we come to the conclusion that the text being prepared for the Durban review number two conference sets us up for a re-run of an anti-Jewish anti-Semitic harangue, as the first conference was, then Australia will not take part," Smith told reporters.

"We won’t propose to go to the conference if all it looks like is being a replica of 2001."

The inaugural racism summit, held in the South African city of Durban in September 2001, saw a walk-out by Israeli and US delegates in protest against a bid by Arab nations to adopt a resolution that equated Zionism with racism.

The United States, Israel, Canada and Italy have already vowed not to attend Durban II, while Britain has threatened to walk away unless the language of the draft declaration is amended.

Smith said he was looking forward to reviewing the draft text in coming weeks, and to any subsequent improvements to it by the working group when it reconvened in April.