Turnbull warns cabinet of ‘hate speech’ danger

MALCOLM Turnbull has expressed very strong and detailed views in cabinet on proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Malcolm Turnbull has expressed very strong and detailed views in cabinet on proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Mr Turnbull disputed the argument that there should be no limitations on free speech, saying history had proven that “hate speech” was dangerous.

Indicating that he had voiced his concerns in cabinet, Mr Turnbull said while it would not be in the best interests of the government if he spoke publicly about the draft exposure bill released this week, there were “legitimate” community concerns about weakening of protections in section 18D of the act.

“I am very, very strongly of the view that hate, you know — people who peddle racial hatred — seriously undermine the stability and the harmony of our country,” the minister said.

“I have very strong and very detailed views but I think it’s better that I deal with them in the confines of my cabinet colleagues.

“It’s certainly better for me, better for the government, too.”

Mr Turnbull, whose Sydney electorate of Wentworth has a prominent Jewish constituency, said there were “legitimate” concerns about the removal of the term “good faith” from section 18D.

That section currently states that a performance, exhibition, artistic work, statement, publication, discussion or debate must be (a) in good faith and (b) done for a genuine academic, artistic or scientific purpose.

The federal government released a draft bill this week that outlines changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, including a repeal of section 18C, which makes it unlawful for someone to act in a matter likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate someone based on their race or on their ethnicity.

Mr Turnbull said Australia already had a strong free-speech culture and changes to further promote free speech should not undermine racial harmony.

“You don’t have to look very far, whether around the world today or in history, to see where hate speech can get you,” he said.

“We’ve got to get the balance right and free speech is very, very important, and I’m a great defender of free speech, but we’ve got to always ensure that free speech operates in an environment where it’s not undermining that harmony.

“A lot of people say there should be no limitations on free speech but the fact is there are: we’ve got defamation laws, we’ve got contempt laws.

“We do have a very strong free-speech culture. That’s probably about as much as I should say at this juncture.”

When asked about Attorney-General George Brandis’s comments that everyone had a right to be a bigot, Mr Turnbull said that there should be no tolerance for people who were racist.