Senate debates Questions without Notice
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
2:56 pm
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
2:57 pm
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
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
I stand by the right of every Australian to express their opinions.
Claire Moore Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women
2:58 pm
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
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.