House debates Questions without Notice
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
3:05 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Liberal senators Cory Bernardi and Dean Smith are cosponsoring a private senator's bill that will give the green light to racist hate speech. In plain English, will the Prime Minister commit, here and now, unambiguously—
Mr Hutchinson interjecting —
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
to join with Labor and vote against this divisive legislation?
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
As the Leader of the Opposition well knows, the government has no plans to change section 18C. Some years ago, in the wake of the Bolt case—a most unfortunate case; a prosecution that should never have been brought—the coalition did commit to the repeal of section 18C in its current form.
Mr Bowen interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
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.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, the opposition wishes to offer leave to the Prime Minister to extend the time of that answer, so he can deal with which way the government will vote.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
There is no point of order. That is grandstanding!