Labor blasts new move on race-hate laws

Labor has promised not to waver over proposed amendments to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Senator Bob Day

Senator Bob Day.

Labor has vowed to block any attempts to water down hate speech protections, as Family First senator Bob Day announces he will introduce a bill to amend the Racial Discrimination Act.

"Someone has to champion the cause of freedom. You can't allow yourself to be intimidated by any particular group," Senator Day told News Corp Australia.

It comes days after Prime Minister Tony Abbott dumped plans to dilute the federal race-hate laws despite opposition from within the government.

Labor multiculturalism spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said the community had already rejected such a move.

"Labor has been consistent and unified on this matter," she told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

"Whoever brings these (amendments) forward, Labor will not stand for watering down of race-hate speech protections, which have served our country well for nearly 20 years."

Mr Abbott had promised before the 2013 election he would repeal section 18C of the act, which makes it illegal to offend, insult or humiliate a person based on their ethnicity.

But on Wednesday, Mr Abbott said the plan was dead.

"It's off the table - it is gone. It's disappeared," Mr Abbott said.


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