Bolt was alerted to the tweet and quickly directed a pointed barb at the fallen premier. Andrew Bolt (file photo) asked 2GB's Steve Price: 'Don't we need a frank debate ... into how the Islamic culture, muslim culture, how they integrate here?' Credit:Joe Armao "Hello to Barry ... pour yourself another expensive red, one you might have forgotten you actually had there," he said, prompting laughter from Price. "I had a fair bit of regard for Barry O'Farrell before that but he has just gone down a bit in my estimation," Price told listeners. "Anyway, we have an adult in charge of NSW now and Mike Baird is doing a great job." As premier, Mr O'Farrell criticised the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, saying bigotry "should never be sanctioned, whether intentionally or unintentionally". His contribution to the debate highlighted deep divisions within conservative ranks about the proposed changes.

Earlier on the show, Bolt said Mr Abbott's decision spelt a dangerous time for Australia and that the Prime Minister's justification was an "excuse rather than a reason". Commentator Andrew Bolt says he does not blame Tony Abbott for dumping changes to section 18C. Credit:Andrew Meares Prior to last year's election, the Coalition promised to repeal section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act - which became known as the "Bolt laws" - after Bolt was prosecuted under the existing legislation over two comment pieces on white-skinned Aboriginals. On the 2GB segment, Bolt said his prosecution and the subsequent banning of his articles was "astonishing". He also claimed Australia is "being asked to assimilate to immigrant values" in response to Mr Abbott's decision to drop the changes.

"He announced that he was dumping the free speech changes at a press conference actually called to announce fresh new measures, strong measures against terrorism, people who had been fighting for jihadist groups overseas and would be coming back radicalised and with superior killing knowledge and pose a danger to us," Bolt said. He referenced Mr Abbott's comment that everyone needs to be part of "team Australia" when it comes to counter terrorism. "What he is saying is the very people, the very ethnic groups that would take exception to 18C are the same ones that are, in part, some of them, affected or take offence to the anti-terrorism legislation. To make them feel not picked on he'll retain laws against free speech," Bolt said. As for who those who might "feel picked on by terrorism measures", Bolt identified "obviously Muslims, jihadists, people from the Middle East." "Don't we need a frank debate, more frank than it's been so far, into how the Islamic culture, Muslim culture, how they integrate here? That is a very difficult and dangerous discussion."

Despite his anger, the News Corp commentator and Bolt Report host said he did not blame Mr Abbott for dumping the 18C changes. "Tony Abbott I'm not blaming because he did try. He found immovable forces ... he couldn't have got it through the Senate," he said. Loading "I don't think politically he had any option." Follow us on Twitter