Discussion paper response

Desmond Kenneth Barton
What is your full name?
Desmond Kenneth Barton
What is your postal code?
2283
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?
The change should first be around a bill of civil rights, before we can even think about the constitution. I heard over the 3 days that the Government has already pushed back on some of the items in the constitution, so why even have change if they aren't
Should we have a statement that acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia?
Yes. This should be in a normal Australian law, but not in the Constitution.
What should the statement say?
That Australia was inhabited first by Aboriginal People long before Europeans and that the British claimed land that was already inhabited.
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 other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
The only Laws that the Government should make are those laws which see Aboriginal People equal as all Australians.
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?
No
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
If you set a group to be a advisory group than the Government can take the advise and not do anything with it.
Should we delete section 25?
No
Is there any point in keeping it?
We need to encourage our mob to vote.
Do you have any other comments?
Unless the government is willing to come with a clear promise that they will work with our mob, rather than protecting the political interest or party than any discussion had would be futile and basically a complete waste of everyone's time.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual