"I do not accept, for example, the right for freedom of speech, is any more or any less important than the right to safety and security for all our citizens. To often those who espouse their right to freedom of speech, argue that it is undermine, weakened, by those who would call out bigotry or racism, or would draw attention to the ability for hate speech to mobilise violence," she said.
"So let me clear. I will defend freedom of speech to the last - but I will not stand by and allow the proponents of hatred and fear, no matter where they come from, to claim some form of moral superiority as they browbeat fellow Australians into accepting second-class citizenship.
"We may live in an era of unease, an of extremes - and I don't know how we found ourselves in a time where asking for a little more compassion, a little more reason, a little more empathy for those less fortunate attracts accusations and hate mail - sadly sanctioned by some of the very people who sit in this chamber. But I believe that with goodwill from all sides, the centre can hold. Cowan has proven it. Holding the centre together requires more than just political will - it needs strong moral leadership and that is what all of us here in the Parliament have a duty to provide.
"And that is what I intend to provide."