Discussion paper response

Helen Uren-Randall
What is your full name?
Helen Uren-Randall
What is your postal code?
2902
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 an indicate a formal inclusion that acknowledes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original custodians of Australia. Further, it should aknowledge the necessity for cultural inclusion - that is, non-Aboriginal peoples
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?
It should be in both the Constituion ad Australian law.
What should the statement say?
See above.
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?
The government disbanded ATSI, but there should be a reinstatement of this or a version of this, to deal in a respectful and integrated manner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Every public office and committee etc in the land, should al
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?
I think this should be fully discussed, at committee level, with ideas from acoss the nation.
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?
1. Stop trying to appease Andrew Bolt and leave the current acts that we have in place to do their work. See above for the re-instatement of such things as ATSI.
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?
It needs to be nationally representative and it needs to be able to function independently of whichever party is in government. It also has to be meaningful and not tokenistic, thus, it needs power of veto.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
It should be directed toward education and raising cultural awareness. There should also be a focus on being aspirational and inspirational for First Nations, and indeed, the whole nation. It needs to be effective and DO work that benefits First Nations
Should we delete section 25?
No
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
If you want to identify certain groups in this form, then it needs to be on a case by case basis. First Nations peoples should never be in this formula, as they were and continue to be, the original custodians of this land.
Is there any point in keeping it?
Only if the judiciary feels it is in the best legal interests of the nation. If they feel they can manage without it, then get rid of it.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual