Political editor Tory Shepherd and Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi discuss whether the government's decision to change section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act is the right move.

Tory vs. Cory: The right to be a bigot

TONY ABBOTT killed off controversial changes to race hate laws, but now one of his Senators is continuing the crusade with the help of new crossbenchers.

A private members bill to amend section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act will be introduced into the Upper House today, co-sponsored by Family First Senator Bob Day, the Liberal Democrats’ David Leyonhjelm and Coalition backbencher Cory Bernardi.

It seeks to remove the words “offend” and “insult” from the Act, as was initially pledged by the Abbott government.

The Prime Minister made a “leadership call” and abandoned the promise in August while announcing beefed up counter-terror laws, arguing it had become a “complication”.

Now Senator Day has taken up the push, insisting the situation has changed.

“When the Muslim community didn’t come on board with his Team Australia project, I would have thought all bets are off and they can go back to square one and continue with the proposal for section 18C,” he told ABC Radio this morning.

He conceded the area of reform is not really his “thing”, but he felt compelled to “help out”.

“I don’t want there to be any silencing of debate,” he said.

Later Senator Day revealed Liberal Senator Dean Smith had also agreed to co-sponsor the bill.

Labor’s multiculturalism spokeswoman Michelle Rowland said Mr Abbott needed to pull Cory Bernardi, the bill’s co-sponsor, “into line”.

“It was thought that this matter had been put to rest for now. It is therefore very disappointing to see that this is back on the table,” she told reporters in Canberra this morning.

“This is simply a divisive move which will not in any way promote tolerance in our community at this time.

“The 18C issue in particular is one in which the community has spoken very loud and clear, that this is a matter that could potentially be a great divisive force.”