House debates Questions without Notice

Racial Discrimination Act 1975

Wednesday, 28 May 2014 House of Representatives

Bill Shorten

Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition

2:05 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. Australians have rejected the Prime Minister's divisive changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Will the Prime Minister listen to the Australian people and abandon his proposed changes? When will the Prime Minister agree that protecting racists and bigots is not the Australia that we want to see?

Tony Abbott

Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister

Racism has no place in Australian society, no place whatsoever. Racism is absolutely abhorrent. Racism has no place in our society and neither do unreasonable restrictions on free speech. As the House would know, we have called for debate, we have sought community input, we are considering the submissions that we have received and we will be responding in due course.

Mr Perrett interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker

The member for Moreton!