Calls for Peter Dutton-led Liberals to put ‘free speech back on the agenda’
Sky News host Rita Panahi says it is time for the Peter Dutton-led Liberals to put “free speech back on the agenda”.
Ms Panahi’s comments come as Greens Deputy Leader Mehreen Faruqi is “suing One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson” over comments that Faruqi has labelled as the “ultimate racist slur”.
“Faruqi is alleging the comment made on X, former Twitter, by Hanson is in breach of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act which makes it unlawful to offend, insult, humiliate, or intimidate someone with race-based comments,” Ms Panahi said.
Calls for Peter Dutton-led Liberals to put ‘free speech back on the agenda’
“It’s a case that has huge significance for free speech in this country with some fine legal minds arguing 18C is unconstitutional.
“I have long argued 18C should be abolished.
“Tony Abbott had a mandate to repeal section 18C in 2013, but thanks to the cancerous moderates within the Liberal Party threatening to cross the floor, he dumped the planned changes the following year.
“He has since said the failure to amend the Racial Discrimination Act was among the biggest mistakes of his time in office.
“It’s time the Peter Dutton-led Liberals put free speech back on the agenda.”