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On March 21, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a potential watering down of the controversial Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.

Under the proposal the words “offend, insult, humiliate” will be replaced by “harass”.

The reforms were debated in the Senate on Tuesday, but little attention has been given to proposed procedural changes to the Australian Human Rights Commission, which will not only apply to 18C complaints but all complaints of discrimination handled by the Commission, including, sex, age, disability and race.

Experts say the changes could make it more difficult for vulnerable members of the community to make complaints of vilification and discrimination.

Just Words host Nic Healey spoke to Luke McNamara, a Professor of Law from the University of New South Wales about the proposed 18C reforms and what the changes could really mean.

Just Words Podcast Extra produced by Emma Lancaster