The Incredible Diversity Of Senators Calling For Changes To Race Hate Laws

:thinking face emoji:

Senator Cory Bernardi is leading a backbench revolt against prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's legislative agenda, gathering 20 backbench senators to call for changes to the Racial Discrimination Act.

Jane Norman @janeenorman

Here's the list of Liberal/National backbench Senators supporting @corybernardi's private member's bill #auspol

02:57 AM - 30 Aug 2016

Conservative federal MPs have been agitating for changes to section18C of the act, which makes it an offence to insult, offend, humiliate or intimidate people on racial grounds.

On the first day of the new parliament, Bernardi sent around a petition of backbench senators calling for immediate changes. Here is the incredibly ~diverse~ bunch.

APH/Liberal party

The Coalition tried and failed to repeal 18C in the last term of parliament and Turnbull has made it clear changes are not a priority for the government.

Key independent senator Nick Xenophon has already said his senators would not vote for changes, claiming "this issue was dealt with by the government back in 2014".