What is your full name?
Michelle May
What is your postal code?
2008
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?
It should acknowledge the sovereign nations that existed before the Constitution and acknowledge the continuing existence of those nations within Australia. It should specify their rights in a similar way to the states - that they allow each nation to hav
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 constitution and our laws
What should the statement say?
Wherever we mention the nation/Commonwealth of Australia we should mention 'and its component Aboriginal nations'
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
We should be able to specify our citizenship in terms of being a XX citizen of Australia - referring to our own Aboriginal nation.
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?
All laws about Aboriginal and Torres STrait Islander people should be made by a special Aboriginal Parliament including elected representatives of each Aboriginal Nation (and possibly either the Senate members, reps from each party, reps from each state -
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
They should only be able to make laws that do not disadvantage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, restrict their rights, or place more onerous conditions on them than a non-ABoriginal citizen in the same circumstances.
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
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?
Create a Bill of Rights
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Create a republic and remove any beneficiary statement regarding the UK or the King/Queen of Australia.
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?
An elected representative from each Aboriginal Nation, elected by members of that nation.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
Aboriginal people should be able to apply to vote as a member of either one of their ancestral nations (of the mother or father ) or the place they have resided for an extended period (5 years+).
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Prevent racism
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual