Senior government ministers are resisting renewed debate over section 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act, as a fresh backbench push threatens to once again divide the Coalition over free speech.

Treasurer Scott Morrison, preparing for the release of key national accounts figures on Wednesday, warned that changing the 18c racial hate laws would not help reduce unemployment or improve any other economic metric.

"I know there are a lot of people who are interested in this issue," he said. "As a senior figure in this government ... I know this issue doesn't create one job, doesn't open one business, doesn't give anyone one extra hour. It doesn't make housing more affordable or energy more affordable.

"I don't see any intersection between that issue and those priorities."