In an attempt to win favour with the right-wing of the Liberal Party, Malcolm Turnbull has today endorsed weakening protections against racist hate speech.

Communities around Australia have made their views clear. Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act has served Australians well for almost 20 years and should not be watered down.

But Mr Turnbull said today on the Bolt Report that he supports a softer proposal that would no longer make it illegal to "insult" or "offend" a person on the basis of their race.

Now, more than ever, we need community harmony – every politician has a responsibility to promote inclusion and respect.

The Coalition should join with Labor and rule out supporting the divisive and damaging legislation currently before the Senate that seeks to weaken protections against racist hate speech. Or does it have a secret plan to revive its plan to water down this important protection?

Malcolm Turnbull's comments show that no matter who is leading the Liberal Party, it cannot be trusted to preserve the protections against racist hate speech.

Labor will fight any move to weaken protections against racist hate speech and the Abbott Government must rule out any support for changes to Section 18C.

SUNDAY, 17 MAY 2015