Shorten gagged on freedom of speech motion

Bill Shorten wanted to talk about freedom of speech - only to be gagged by the government after 77 seconds.

The federal Labor leader tried - but failed - to delay business in parliament on Wednesday to chide Malcolm Turnbull over changes to race-hate laws.

Mr Shorten criticised the prime minister for planning to introduce legislation in the Senate initially - where it's set for defeat - to avoid having MPs vote on the issue in the lower house.

"This is nothing more than a cynical attempt by the prime minister to be able to make the claim to the extreme elements in his party room that his government is taking action on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act," he told MPs.

He suggested "weakening" the laws will give a license to hate speech in Australia.

"This is classic Member for Wentworth..." Mr Shorten said before being cut off by Leader of the House Christopher Pyne.