Discussion paper response

Judith R Hocking
What is your full name?
Judith R Hocking
What is your postal code?
3124
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 state the historical fact that Australia was inhabited long before the first European settlers arrived.
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 the preamble to the Constitution
What should the statement say?
Simple historical facts in regards to who lived here prior to and at the time the Constitution was written.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
I am not sure how to right past wrongs but history is history. Until the Constitution is corrected, it is difficult to teach future generations about our past or to put measures in place to try to improve the situation for our First Peoples.
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?
My answer is yes if the power can be used in ways to help improve the living conditions, health and education for our First Peoples. It would need to be formulated, advised on and implemented by these people themselves or by those trusted and with first h
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Would need a particularly thorough and long consultation process
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 have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
The laws relating to discrimination need to be strengthened rather than weakened
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?
Needs a gender balance, a range of different ages and people from throughout Australia
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
It would help get rid of racial discrimination
Is there any point in keeping it?
no
Do you have any other comments?
I grew up and went to school in an area close to an Aboriginal Settlement. I was taught absolutely nothing about our First Peoples. Later in life when I read about the so called first settlements and the way in which our indigenous population was treated,
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual