What is your full name?
Kerrie O'Keefe
What is your postal code?
3121
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?
We should mention the first people and acknowledge their presence and habitation of Australia for 40,000 years. We should make a commitment and promise to always respect Aboriginal culture and people and recognise their culture as living culture.
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?
In a preamble and in the body of the Constitution. Ask the Aboriginal people where they would like their story to be told.
What should the statement say?
We accept that Aboriginal people have a unique place in the living culture and history of Australia. As original inhabitants their presence is felt in the land and we acknowledge their care, cultivation and nurture of this vast land and undertake to alway
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
no
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?
Create a section for definition of those powers.
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?
Respect is a commonly well understood term and concept.
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?
Retain current laws.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Refer to current laws.
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
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
Direct representation in Parliament.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
The group would have direct representation in the senate.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Dispense with historical racism.
Is there any point in keeping it?
Dont see any point in keeping it.
Do you have any other comments?
Thank you for reading this and giving me a voice in this important discussion.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual