Outspoken Libertarian crossbench Senator David Leyonhjelm is testing a law he wants abolished, after he was labelled an “angry white male” and “hate-speech apologist” by a newspaper columnist.

Senator Leyonhjelm has long campaigned to see Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act repealed, and has previously said it was damaging free speech.

It is a section that makes it illegal to commit an act that is reasonably likely to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” someone because of their race or ethnicity.

The Senator has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission over the article by Fairfax journalist Mark Kenny, who blasted him over his wish to see the section of the law abolished.

The article described him as an “angry white male”.

“David Leyonhjelm is a boorish, supercilious know-all with the empathy of a besser block,” Mr Kenny wrote.

Senator David Leyonhjelm took exception to the term “angry white male”. Photo: AAP.

The Senator said his opposition to the law was precisely why he was now using it as the basis of the complaint about the comments.

“They’re unlawful because, according to the act, they are based on my colour and they are insulting or intended to insult,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.

“I’m seeking to have 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act repealed, so part of the process of highlighting why it should be repealed is to use it.”

At the same time, the Libertarian senator said he was not affected by the criticisms.

“I’m only insulted or offended by people I respect, so it didn’t make me feel anything,” he said.

Mr Kenny has provided a statement to the ABC accusing Senator Leyonhjelm of “rank hypocrisy”.

“This vexatious stunt not only proves the point of my piece, it betrays the Senator’s disregard for the real work of the Human Rights Commission,” he said.

Labor calls on Turnbull to rule out changes

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has demanded the Prime Minister rule out using Section 18C as a “bargaining chip” in negotiations with the crossbench, in order to find support for other contentious legislation.

“The Coalition dropped the attack on Section 18C because of overwhelming opposition from community groups, Mr Turnbull should not put us through this again,” Mr Dreyfus said.

Mr Dreyfus said Senator Leyonhjelm should reflect on the kind of Australia he wants to live in.

“Does he want to live in an Australia where people are free to hurl racist abuse at each other?”

He said during community consultations in 2014, Indigenous Australians said they felt “sickened” by abuse hurled at them, and Senator Leyonhjelm should reflect on the impact of hate speech.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale has labelled the move opportunistic politics.

“Giving the green light to hate speech does nothing to bring us together as a nation,” he said.