Pauline Hanson’s motley crew have banged on about how they reckon it limits their freedom of speech ever since the election was called; and Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm is making a complaint to the Human Rights Commission under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, after Fairfax journalist Mark Kenny called him an “angry white man.”

Now they are all champing at the bit to have their right to racially abuse fellow Australians passed into law.

Perish the thought, they may succeed.

I remain astounded that white people continue to fight for the right to offend and insult people of colour or a different branch of the same Abrahamic faith they claim to belong to, that is, Islam rather than Christianity. 

I understand that these white people believe they are fighting for free speech and of course they are, if you are of the belief that free speech equals unrestrained and irresponsible speech.

It’s inarguable that Section 18C curbs free speech. Of course it does.

So do the laws that make it an offence to use foul language in public places, or to call police officers horrible names when they’re attempting to restrain you or move you on.

Yet very sensibly, no one is complaining about these restrictions on free speech.

Last week the Australian Greens said they will keep standing with the community to protect Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, and in so doing reminded us that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had in fact promised yet another attempt at changing it to win his leadership coup over Tony Abbott.

"In his rush to become Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull sold out those who would face discrimination to secure power for himself. It's disgraceful," said Greens Leader Richard Di Natale.

As Mr Di Natale went on to point out "The Liberals and a few Senate crossbenchers tried and failed to change 18C under Tony Abbott, and if they're determined to try again with Malcolm Turnbull, the Greens will make sure history repeats itself."

Given the makeup of the new Senate, which sits for the first time today, the danger of those who want the freedom to abuse Australians because of their race, colour or religion succeeding this time is much greater, with David Leyonhjelm (only just) being returned, and with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party arriving with four senators.   

Greens legal affairs spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said "The campaign to destroy the integrity of the Racial Discrimination Act is not about freedom of speech, it's about freedom from consequence."

"The fundamental questions remain unanswered by those who advocate change: why and how do they want to insult and offend other people on the basis of their race?” Quite.

The truth has been abandoned by many arguing for change.

Section 18C is not designed, nor has it been used, to protect against “hurt feelings”, and Section 18D of the Act contains widespread freedom of speech protections that go beyond what can be found in defamation law.

So please lobby your local MP and as many senators as you can reach to leave Section 18C in place.