Discussion paper response

Kathy Patrick
What is your full name?
Kathy Patrick
What is your postal code?
2518
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?
That they be recognised as the First Australians in our Constitution.
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?
Either make it the replacement to 127 which was repealed or add it on to the rest.
What should the statement say?
That Aboriginal Australians are the first people of Australia and that Australia was already inhabited by people when it was invaded.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
An apology should be included in the statement.
Should the word 'race' be taken out of the Constitution?
I don't know
Should the Australian Parliament keep the power to make special laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
I don't know
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?
That no person should be subject to discrimination based on nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, abilities and that we should work, as a nation, towards ending discrimination and ignorance.
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?
Education! Educate adults about the history of Aboriginal 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?
No
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
Elders who are in touch with community along with educated people on sociology and education.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
No - one would be banned from voting.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Do you have any other comments?
This will be very difficult to do. Racism and Ignorance is entrenched in certain communities of Australia. Education, taught at schools, can only do so much if the family home is one that promotes racism.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual