Discussion paper response

William John Purvis
What is your full name?
William John Purvis
What is your postal code?
5070
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?
First Nations people may be disadvantaged by attempting to place them within the constitution unless they are afforded special recognition without encumbrance of their unceded ownership of the land and recognition of the wrongs that have been afforded to
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 Constitution
What should the statement say?
First Nations peoples occupied this country for many thousands of years prior to the arrival and settlement by colonials who, through the use of force, deprivation and denial, displaced First Nations peoples from their homelands. There was never any cedi
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
I believe First Nations peoples should be empowered to be able to dictate on their own terms their demands for recognition. I do not believe non-First Nations people should be able to cast votes on the outcomes affecting First Nations peoples. First Nat
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?
Yes
Do you have any ideas on what new words could be used to describe that power, or where in the Constitution to put the power?
In as much as the words recognise and attempt to right past wrongs inflicted upon First Nations peoples.
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
By negotiation with First Nations peoples through a treaty unless special recognition allowing further negotiation is enabled in the Constitution.
Do you think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
Yes
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?
The abuse of power used to discriminate against people based on ethnic group or race.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Recognition of the fact firstly that First Nations peoples have previously been subjected to laws and actions which have contributed to the diminishing of their peoples and culture.
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?
I don't know
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
The new group must be empowered to negotiate on behalf of and be representative of the views of First Nations peoples.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
I recognise that the ability of First Nations peoples to negotiate collectively has to some extent been difficult because First Nations peoples comprise many groups. Perhaps First Nations peoples themselves need a governing body with the ability to negoti
Should we delete section 25?
I don't know
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
I have stated I don't know. Why is such a provision there?
Is there any point in keeping it?
There should be no discrimination which disadvanteges any group or race in any legislation.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual