![Malcolm Turnbull says the government will consider debate about the Racial Discrimination Act. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen Malcolm Turnbull says the government will consider debate about the Racial Discrimination Act. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/993aac36-7716-451a-b3c6-11edf2039a83.jpg/r0_0_729_410_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![Senator Dean Smith is one of a number of conservative Coalition MPs pushing for change. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen Senator Dean Smith is one of a number of conservative Coalition MPs pushing for change. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/cfabd20b-c894-4f43-8163-ecdd19a807a7.jpg/r0_0_729_410_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
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.
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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.
He said the real debate would be what would replace the existing laws.
"Senator Smith has recommended that the issue should be considered by a parliamentary committee, presumably the human rights committee, that's a recommendation he's made and the government is considering it.
"He's made the argument - and I think it's a reasonable one - that there should be an open and calm, cool discussion of the issues relating to this."
Senator Smith, one of a number of conservative Coalition MPs pushing for change, wants a inquiry to broaden debate about the laws, including individual experiences of racial discrimination.
It's not clear if any possible change to the laws would pass the Senate.
Asked if the existing laws were working effectively, Mr Turnbull said some controversial applications had been brought to the Human Rights Commission, including one against Australian newspaper cartoonist Bill Leak and Queensland university students over access to campus facilities.
"It is a matter that I think needs to have a calm discussion. Let's be clear - we live in the most successful multicultural society in the world," Mr Turnbull said.
"What I am saying is this is a very legitimate area of discussion. The question mark has always been over the use of the words 'insult and offend'."
He stressed the government would not allow any tolerance for hate speech or language promoting racial hated.
Mr Turnbull denied Mr Leak was a racist, despite his controversial cartoons depicting Indigenous Australians prompting outcry earlier this year.
"Bill's a very engaging guy," Mr Turnbull said.
"He's an Australia, he's a cartoonist, he's a controversialist. That's what he does, but he's a very colourful, passionate Australian of enormous artistic ability."