Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. Does a Turnbull coalition government support watering down the 18C provision in the Racial Discrimination Act as proposed by Liberal Senators Bernardi and Smith?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In September of last year the then Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, and I announced that an amendment to section 18C was off the table. That position has not changed.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Does the Attorney stand by his previous comment in defence of weakening 18C that 'people do have the right to be bigots'?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand by the right of every Australian to express their opinions.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. The Attorney has already said that the previous principle stands. Does that mean there will be no proposal to change or support changes to the Racial Discrimination Act in this term of parliament?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Not that I am aware. The matter has not been reconsidered since Mr Abbott made the statement to which I referred in September last year.