Senator WRIGHT (South Australia) (11:37):  I rise to speak on the Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014, which seeks to amend the Migration Act 1958. If those listening to the debate today take away nothing else, I would ask them to take away the understanding that this bill, if passed, has the very real likelihood of Australia deporting people-fellow human beings-who have come to us legally-

Senator O'Sullivan:  Illegally.

New Private Senators' legislation to change the Racial Discrimination Act should be voted down at the first available opportunity, says Australian Greens spokesperson for legal affairs Senator Penny Wright.

"This legislation is fanning the flames of division right when we need to be coming together as a nation," Senator Wright said.

"A groundswell of public opinion has defeated this legislation once and we are confident any proposal to bring it back will also fail.

"It is bad idea and terribly irresponsible timing from Senators Day, Bernardi and Leyonhjelm.

"The Greens are very proud to have been part of the community campaign against watering down race hate laws," said acting Greens Leader, Adam Bandt MP.   

"The Government's backdown on the 'bigot' laws show that the community can make this Government change direction.

"This victory will give a big boost to everyone campaigning against Tony Abbott's agenda.

"The Government's changes would have given the green light to racism and other hate speech, and we're very pleased the "Andrew Bolt Protection Bill" has been dumped