Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General. Attorney, isn't it true that your government's desire to water down section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is in fact an attack on the foundation of Australia's multicultural society? Why do you think that, in a country described by the Prime Minister as one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world, people should be able to insult and offend other Australians on the basis of their race? Are the rights of racists more important than the harmony of Australia's multicultural society? Attorney, why are you ignoring the consensus position of Australia's multicultural communities who say that weakening the Racial Discrimination Act will give a green light to race hatred?