Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has backed down from his total opposition to renewed examination of Australia's race hate laws, conceding possible changes are a legitimate area of discussion for the Coalition.

Previously ruling out any change to controversial provisions in section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, Mr Turnbull said on Friday the government would consider a proposal put forward by West Australian Liberal senator Dean Smith for a parliamentary inquiry.

Right-wing Coalition MPs and some high profile Australians are pushing Mr Turnbull to revive Abbott government plans to repeal provisions making it an offence to insult or offend people on the basis of their race.

Mr Turnbull told Melbourne radio station 3AW the government had "no plans to amend section 18C" of the Act, but called for an open discussion.