The Liberal National Party is again seeking to weaken race hate speech protections with a motion at this weekend’s Queensland LNP State Council calling on the Turnbull Government to have another crack at watering down the Racial Discrimination Act.

This shows that the desire to weaken race hate protections in Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is in the Coalition’s DNA.

Now, more than ever, we need community harmony – we all have a responsibility to promote inclusiveness and respect.

Despite the Liberal National Party’s ideological obsession, communities around Australia have made their views clear. Section 18C has served Australians well for almost 20 years and should not be watered down.

It is now time for Malcolm Turnbull’s actions to match his words on community harmony and he should join with Labor and rule out weakening this important legislation. 

Another motion up for debate at this weekend’s State Council calls for the removal of the word “multiculturalism” from related policy matters.

Labor recognises that Australia is a proudly multicultural nation that has been enriched by the contribution of those from all corners of the world.

The fact that hard right ideologues like George Christensen and Cory Bernardi are still setting the Liberal Party’s agenda shows how little things have changed in the Abbott-Turnbull Government.

FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2015