What is your full name?
Dr Bede Harris
What is your postal code?
2913
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?
It should remove from the Constitution provisions which permit racial discrimination and, most importantly, it should include a right not to be discriminated against on grounds of race or ethnicity.
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?
In the preamble.
What should the statement say?
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders as the Indigenous peoples of Australia.
Should the word 'race' be taken out of the Constitution?
No
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?
As part of a provision prohibiting discrimination on grounds of race or ethnicity, there should be a provision allowing Parliament to legislate for the benefit of people of a specific race or ethnicity in order to remedy the consequences of past discrimin
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?
With the exception of laws for the redress of the consequences of historical inequality, no law shall discriminate against any person on the grounds of race or ethnicity.
Should the guarantee protect all Australians against racial discrimination, or only Indigenous Australians?
All Australians
Do you think Indigenous people should have a say when Parliament and government make laws and policies about Indigenous affairs?
No
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?
No
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual