Discussion paper response

Hannah Judith Sharp
What is your full name?
Hannah Judith Sharp
What is your postal code?
3123
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?
Acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of the nation, and acknowledging their historical connection to the land.
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?
No
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Their should be the power to make laws if it is for the benefit of said peoples, however if it is for the purpose of excluding them from society, this should not occur.
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?
Yes
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
It is an important step in moving forward from the historical past of Australia, and a symbol of the multicultural and inclusive nation we are striving to become.
Is there any point in keeping it?
If the section is outdated and irrelevant, it should definitely be removed. It does not serve any purpose.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual