Time for me to wrap up. What happened? <\/p>\n
My thanks to Andrew Meares and Alex Ellinghausen for their excellent work and to you for reading and commenting. <\/p>\n
You can follow me on Facebook. <\/p>\n
Alex, Andrew and I will be back in the morning. We hope to see you then. Enjoy your evening. <\/p>\n
In the House of Representatives MPs are debating the changes to 18C. <\/p>\n
Labor frontbencher Linda Burney begins her speech by reading out a text message she received today: \"Why are you abos allowed to harass people outside grocery stores?\" <\/p>\n
The Special Minister ofState, Scott Ryan, has flagged the introduction of the government's electoral law changes. <\/p>\n
Next week legislation will be introduced which, if passed, the government hopes will rule out a repeat of Labor's 'Mediscare' texts. <\/p>\n
\"These changes will better serve voters by making sure Australians know who is trying to influence them,\" SenatorRyan said. <\/p>\n
\"This bill will ensure all are treated fairly and equally in requiring political material to be authorised, and bring the regime into the modern era.\" <\/p>\n
Liberal senator James Paterson, a leading proponent of changing the race hate laws, is speaking to Sky News. <\/p>\n
He says there are too many cases going before the courts and it is limiting people's right to free speech. <\/p>\n
\"Offence is not a good enough reason on its own [to make a complaint],\" Senator Paterson says. <\/p>\n
\"Idon't think insultseither are good enough grounds to limit free speech.\" <\/p>\n
\"The hard right derides it in the liberal-left as \"virtue signalling\" - piousflag-waving by the elites around such causes as refugees,multiculturalism, climate change, and entrenched sexism -designed to show its members exist on a higher moral plane,\" Mark Kenny writes. <\/p>\n
\"So what is to be made of the Turnbull government's fanatical tinkering with the nation's racial offence laws? The expression ofelectoral urgency, of public clamour?\" <\/p>\n
And that's itfor question time. <\/p>\n
The opposition has returned to one of its favourite games - baiting Treasurer Scott Morrison. <\/p>\n
I thought it would have stuck with free speech for a bit longer but there you go. <\/p>\n
The chamber has settled down - a bit - since question time began. <\/p>\n
It's always nice when ex MPs drop in. <\/p>\n
All the government's questions have been about energy policy. <\/p>\n
It's even managing to link the recent asthma attacks that sparked a spike in the numbers of people turning to hospital admissions departments to energy. <\/p>\n
It does this by saying it is incredibly important that the power in hospitals doesn't go out which means it is great the Snowy Hydro scheme is being expanded. <\/p>\n
Which is not untrue, it's just a bit of a stretch. <\/p>\n
Mr Turnbull: \"Ibelieve all Australians are absolutely opposed to racism in any form.\" <\/p>\n
Dr Aly asks another question referencing her own experiences of racism: \"What exactly does the Prime Minister want people to be able to say that they cannot say now?\" <\/p>\n
Mr Turnbull: \"Iunderstand the point the honourable member is saying. Ican assure hermy government,and all Australians,are opposed to racism in any form.\" <\/p>\n
Labor MP Anne Aly asks Mr Turnbull a question about the Racial Discrimination Act. <\/p>\n
Her question is genuine but it doesn't hurt that it's Parliament's first female Muslim asking a very establishment man about the issue. <\/p>\n
\"Clear language provides better protection,\" Mr Turnbull say. <\/p>\n
\"Australian are entitled to speak freely.\" <\/p>\n
Mr Turnbull: \"It's a stronger law, a fairer law.\" <\/p>\n
The chamber has reached Thursday-like levels in terms of cacophonies and walls of noise. <\/p>\n
Question time begins. <\/p>\n
No prizes for guessing what topic of the day will be. <\/p>\n
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asks Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull why he has chosen \"today, of all days\" to water down protections against racial discrimination. <\/p>\n
Mr Turnbull says the Coalition has \"more respect for the Australian people than the Australian Labor Party\". <\/p>\n
\"We know that our precious freedoms, our freedom of speech, is the foundation of our nation.\" <\/p>\n
Nearly question time. <\/p>\n
The government will introduce the changes into the Senate (because that's where Senator Brandis resides). <\/p>\n
But Mr Burke suggests it might be because the Coalition is concerned it might not have enough votes in the House of Representatives. <\/p>\n
Labor is very anti the Coalition's proposed changes. <\/p>\n
\"As if we're meant to believe this is a strengthening of the law - no one will believe that,\" frontbencher Tony Burke says. <\/p>\n
\"Yesterday this government released its multicultural policy. It didn't even survive 24 hours before they walked all over it.\" <\/p>\n
This is the event Mr Turnbull attended shortly before the press conference. <\/p>\n
\"A clearer law is a stronger law,\" Mr Turnbull says. <\/p>\n
\"The reality is if you have language which is too wide, too general, it has a chilling effect on free speech.\" <\/p>\n
\"What we've set out is clear language which will protect Australians from racial vilification.\" <\/p>\n
And that's it for the press conference. <\/p>\n
Mr Turnbull is asked if the Coalition isprepared to lose votes because of the issue. <\/p>\n
Mr Turnbull says Labor will exploit any issue for votes: \"Why would this be any different?\" <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link: Time for me to wrap up. What happened? Continue reading
\nPolitics live: Free speech in the spotlight as politicians argue about 18C - The Sydney Morning Herald<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"