Discussion paper response

Belinda Ann Higham
What is your full name?
Belinda Ann Higham
What is your postal code?
5118
Do you support recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by changing the Constitution or making some other kind of legal change?
Yes
What should the change look like?
To include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution as the first Australians. To also remove any acts deemed racially discriminative towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people.
Should we have a statement that acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia?
Yes. This should be in the Constitution.
Where is the best place to put it?
At the begninning of the constitution
What should the statement say?
First and foremost, the first people known to live in Australia from scientific findings as far back as 40-60 thousand years ago were the ATSI people. They are the first Australians, before any others.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
Australia cannot start rebuilding relationships between ATSI people until this happens!
Should the word 'race' be taken out of the Constitution?
Yes
Should the Australian Parliament keep the power to make special laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
No
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
I believe the ATSI people should have a parliament of their own to make decisions for their people, this then can work WITH the current parliament to deal with matters that concern them. Similar to the Saami Parliament.
Do you think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
Yes
Do you have any ideas about what words to use for that guarantee, or where in the Constitution to put it?
not right now
Should the guarantee protect all Australians against racial discrimination, or only Indigenous Australians?
All Australians
If there is not enough support for a guarantee in the Constitution, what other things can we do to stop racial discrimination in national laws?
Prosecute offenders, public shaming like social media does when this occurs, racial offender registry. Make it evident it is a no tolerance..if they dont like it then leave Australia
Do you think Indigenous people should have a say when Parliament and government make laws and policies about Indigenous affairs?
Yes
Should a new Indigenous group be set up under the Constitution to give advice and make sure Indigenous people have a voice in political decisions that affect them?
Yes
Is it worth creating the new group if it can only give advice and does not have the power to block new laws?
Yes
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
As I said above, I believe a similar group like the saami people.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
not right now, but I would push for it to happen if I had the chance!
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
equality
Is there any point in keeping it?
not really
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual