House debates Questions without Notice
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Mark Dreyfus Isaacs, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Attorney General
2:33 pm
Madam Speaker, my question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister name which ethnic community organisations support the government's proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
As I said, this is draft legislation which has gone out for consultation with the community. We think that the legislation gets the balance right. We think that the legislation preserves protections while removing any element of—
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. The question had no preamble, and the only organisation the Prime Minister is referring to is his own cabinet at the moment. The question was asking for something broader than that.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
You have made your point of order. The Prime Minister has the call.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Madam Speaker, let us see what various community organisations say in response to the exposure legislation that we are making available. But I will say this: I know the migrant communities of Australia pretty well, and I know that they have voted for this country with their feet. I know that they have embraced our way of life, they have embraced our Australian system, and part of our system is robust freedom of speech.