What is your full name?
Margaret Gleeson
What is your postal code?
2518
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?
This is essential. It should be acknowledged that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for this country for thousands of years.
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 - It should be first
What should the statement say?
Not sure but it should acknowledge the thousands of years of caring for country. It should acknowledge the thousands of deaths. Colonisation was an invasion. Decisions of the past have had lasting impact by; destroying family structure, allowing slave l
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
It should acknowledge that in taking the land a way of life was irrevocably destroyed. That many thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were killed defending their homes and families. It should acknowledge that past attitudes and deci
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?
No
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should have the over riding decision on laws that impact them.
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?
We need to move forward towards a just society and a commitment to equality is essential. Discrimination based on race does not have any part of a just society.
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?
have a filter to evaluate laws by that does not allow them to pass if they are discriminatory.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Australia has an opportunity to right many past wrongs and move to a more just future.
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
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual