What is your full name?
Carl Coolen
What is your postal code?
5125
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?
adding a statement to the constitution which recognises the Indigenous people as the first peoples of Australia and as the custodians of the lands and waters of Australia, removing racist clauses from the constitution which may be used to enact laws whic
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 ,where it is legal and clearly stated
What should the statement say?
It should be unambiguous and include acknowledgement that The indigenous people of Australia are the first peoples of Australia, that they occupied the land when Australia was settled by the British, that they are the custodians of land and water of Aust
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
I think it important and a true reflection of the current goodwill for recognition, that a statement is also included which describes how non-indigenous peoples of Australia, both newly arrived immigrants and generations of settled Australians, are pro
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?
The words would need to clearly state that Laws could be made for aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples only if they do not discriminate against them
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
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
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
The power for states to exclude certain races from voting in state elections. The mere presence of this law is repugnant to people in a modern democracy.
Is there any point in keeping it?
no
Do you have any other comments?
It is long, long overdue that we make amendments to the constitution to acknowledge the Indigenous people of Australia. If it is successful the referendum will empower the indigenous people and help heal some of the past traumas. I also consider it a nati
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual