Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has cautioned community concerns over religious discrimination may have more to do with a "perception of a problem, rather than a real problem," while asking if Australia has become "too sensitive".

As Attorney-General Christian Porter prepares to bring a religious discrimination bill before Parliament, Senator Patrick said any review of the legislation should also examine Australia's "levels of tolerance". The South Australian kingmaker - whose vote may be critical to passing the bill, should Labor disagree with the Coalition's plans - said the Senate should look back at history to understand whether Australia had become "too sensitive".

Rex Patrick, pictured with fellow Centre Alliance senator, Stirling Griff, could hold a crucial vote on religious discrimination. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The senator wondered if intolerance in the community had been "unmasked" by media technology (that means localised stories now have a greater reach) and social media (which enables people to quickly share their views on issues).

"If you want true freedoms in society, you need to have a healthy level of tolerance. Maybe the problem is not a lack of freedom, rather a lack of tolerance."