Discussion paper response

Mark Alexander Beaton
What is your full name?
Mark Alexander Beaton
What is your postal code?
4012
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?
All recommendations should be implemented
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?
Start of constitution
What should the statement say?
The commonwealth of Australia unequivocally acknowledges and recognises the indigenous peoples as the first peoples of our federation.
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?
Native title should be decided in a court which includes indigenous elders and representatives of the executive and judiciary.
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?
The commonwealth does not have the power to make different laws for different races. All races are equal under the law. Put in heads of power.
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?
There will be more than enough support for this
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
All races are equal under Australian law.
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?
No
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
A third house of parliament consisting of indigenous elders who decides on matters affecting indigenous Australians
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Enshrine racial equality
Is there any point in keeping it?
None whatsoever
Do you have any other comments?
It's time for equality!
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual