What is your full name?
Dereka Joan Ogden
What is your postal code?
4224
Do you support recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by changing the Constitution or making some other kind of legal change?
Yes
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 body of the Constitution
What should the statement say?
Whatever is included regarding the other citizens of Australia should apply to Aborigines too.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
They are getting a rotten deal and should be consulted on all matters relating to them. They should be allowed to find and implement solutions to their particular problems.
Should the word 'race' be taken out of the Constitution?
I don't know
Should the Australian Parliament keep the power to make special laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
No
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?
No Sorry
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?
Don't know, people are racist because they don't understand the other culture.
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?
I don't know
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
I don't know about an Indigenous group because in the past, the group's wishes have been ignored. Infighting has been a problem, but that is a problem in any group.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
A more comprehensive vision of citizens' wishes.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Do you have any other comments?
Aborigines must in all respects be on an equal footing with non indigenous people, they must have more control over their lives. I think a Treaty would be a good thing. That has worked to a degree in other countries.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual