Sam Dastyari (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Brandis. The minister yesterday said that the government's plans to weaken protection from racial abuse had resulted in 'so much hysteria'. The Ethnic Communities' Council of New South Wales, which represents 358 organisational members, on Tuesday said it would oppose the Turnbull government's amendment and:

… work to maintain the protections and preservations of Australia as a pluralist society in which multiculturalism is protected, and bigotry is challenged.

Does the minister think the Ethnic Communities' Council of New South Wales is being 'hysterical'?