Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

But we have all moved on since then. It is important to preserve national unity. It is important to ensure that all people in this rich multicultural society of ours feel included as members of 'Team Australia'. For that reason, this government has no plans to change section 18C. The private member's bill in question is something that is highly unlikely to proceed under the normal rules that govern the introduction of private members' bills into this parliament.

We are interested in trying to ensure that people in this country show respect, civility and decency to each other. We are determined to ensure that people who preach hate and people who try to divide Australian against Australian is minimised and eliminated from our society. That is why the government has taken the decision that it has.

See this speech in context