Parliament's bipartisan human rights committee says changes to the Racial Discrimination Act would not contravene Australia's international obligations, which supporters of change say is an endorsement of their push.

Family First Senator Bob Day has proposed removing the words "insult" and "offend" from section 18C of the act after the federal government's attempt to overhaul the entire part of the law sparked a backlash.

Family First senator Bob Day has proposed removing the words "insult" and "offend" from section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The parliamentary joint committee on human rights, one of Parliament's three powerful scrutiny committees, has found the changes would not breach Australia's human rights obligations.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he made one his 'Captain's calls' in deciding to break his election pledge to repeal the section because he needed the support of Muslim communities for tougher counter–terror laws instead.