Discussion paper response

Anonymous
What is your full name?
Anonymous
What is your postal code?
5008
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?
Acknowledgement that this was never terra nullius and that Indigenous nations were colonised through violence. This would acknowledge that Indigenous nations were the first Australians, and that they persevere to this day. The violence of colonisation and
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 beginning, because they were here in the beginning.
What should the statement say?
Something more considered that what I can come up with currently.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
Their soverenty should be defined and acknowledged in this document. As well as the perseverance and beauty of their culture/s.
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?
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?
The power for indigenous Australians to have their own sovereignty.
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
They should have power and processes to make laws for their own nations, provided they are not cut off or disadvantages from their non-Indigenous counterparts.
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?
Teach people about the beauty of aboriginal cultures in Australia, teach language, teach culture, teach the history of this nation, not just white 'pioneer' history that disregards aboriginal presence and ownership of all the land.
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?
Better of they had actual power.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
One degree of institutionalised racism.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No!!!
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual