Discussion paper response

Keren Cox-Witton
What is your full name?
Keren Cox-Witton
What is your postal code?
2049
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?
I support a change to the Constitution so that it recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including that their land was taken without treaty or consent. The Constitution should provide for Indigenous people to have representation in fede
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 of the Constitution
What should the statement say?
This is a decision for Indigenous Australians. As a non-Indigenous Australian I would envisage that the statement would acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia, acknowledge their culture, traditions and
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
The statement is a start but is insufficient on its own, and needs to be combined with other substantive changes to the Constitution.
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 other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
I can see that special laws may need to be made for issues such as native title, but I only support keeping this power if there are very strong protections to prevent this from being used against the interest of Indigenous people and this needs to be asse
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?
A bill of rights for Australia
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
The guarantee should be broader than 'race' and should be worded so it covers all forms of discrimination (religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, etc).
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?
In principle this seems like a good option but have selected 'I don't know' as I am unsure how it work, and whether it could be truly representative of Indigenous people. I would defer to Indigenous people to make recommendations on this option.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
No Australian should ever be banned from voting on the basis of their race (or other attribute)
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Do you have any other comments?
A change to the Constitution is not sufficient and I strongly believe that a treaty needs to be negotiated in order for us to move further with reconciliation.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual