Discussion paper response

David John Barnett
What is your full name?
David John Barnett
What is your postal code?
3013
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?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples need to be recognised as the first peoples of Australia officially and their ongoing rights as such formalised.
Should we have a statement that acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia?
Yes. This should be in the Constitution.
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?
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?
Race should be removed where it has powers that discriminate in a negative way.
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Yes, but only special laws that advantage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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?
Elevating the 1975 Racial Discrimination Act to the Constitution would make it more difficult for the Parliament to make laws that discriminate in a negative way.
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?
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
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Preventing raqces from not being able to vote.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No. Section 25 is archaic and was made when there was a White Australia policy.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual