Rogue government backbencher George Christensen has warned that any inaction on watering down race-hate speech laws would be a "fundamental breach" of faith with the Coalition base.
Mr Christensen accused the Turnbull Government of offering "nonsense" arguments for not acting on the issue of Section 18C, which outlaws speech likely to offend or insult someone based on their race.
"We should repeal, or at the very least amend, Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act sooner rather than later," Mr Christensen said in a statement.
His broadside prompted a fierce response from his party's leader, Barnaby Joyce, who slapped down his "good mate" and said changes to the Racial Discrimination Act were not "paramount" in the minds of those in rural Australia.
"I’ll go up and talk to the cane farmers and say, ‘look, fellas, I was going to try and sort this out but apparently I’m going to talk about 18C. Now you haven’t looked it up so Google it’," Mr Joyce said.
Treasurer Scott Morrison joined Nationals MPs in declaring that changing race-hate speech laws aren't a major issue for most Australians because the issue doesn't create one job or extra hour of work.
"Neither does the Omnibus Savings and Child Care Reform Bill, but we’re still doing that," Mr Christensen said.
On Tuesday Mr Christensen quit as the National Party's chief whip, forfeiting an additional $26,000 a year, because he felt his "outspokenness" on a variety of issues was "incompatible" with the party position.
“I did feel some of my colleagues may have been aggrieved that the enforcer of discipline was being somewhat ill-disciplined himself,” Mr Christensen said on Tuesday.
He's been replaced in the role by Nationals colleague, and Federal Member for Murray, Damian Drum.
"I would like to thank George Christensen for the excellent work he has done as chief Nationals whip," Mr Drum said.
"I am thrilled and honoured my colleagues have put their trust in me and put me forward for this role."
Insight: Minority Report. Who gave a major boost to the minor parties in the Federal Election and why?
