What is your full name?
david john owens
What is your postal code?
2303
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?
A preamble to our constitution.
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.
What should the statement say?
Recognise their status as first peoples, their ongoing relationship with the land, and land rights and sovereignty.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
It needs to happen now!
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?
It has been used to subvert the rights of Aboriginal people and remove rights held by all other citizens. It needs to end.
Do you think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
No
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?
We must have a Bill of Rights instead!
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?
Justice.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No.
Do you have any other comments?
There should be seats in parliament for aboriginal peoples as well as a council of elders.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual