What is your full name?
Ann Leonora Ritter
What is your postal code?
2795
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?
Unequivocal recognition that they were here before us - Australia's First People. I hesitate to use the term Nation as that could be imposing an alien construct on how the Indigenous people construct themselves. Suggest consultation on this.
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?
As a preamble
What should the statement say?
This constitution acknowledges the Indigenous people as the original inhabitants and custodians of this land and pays respect to elders past and present.
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?
I don't know
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Perhaps with a grandfather clause it should have the power to address wrongs and inequalities under the law or common practice until such wrongs are no longer in evidence.
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?
All persons setting foot on Australian territory shall have the right guaranteed by the laws of the Commonwealth and all States and Territories to live their lives while under the laws of Australia free from racial discrimination.
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?
Legislate against it. Educate people about its history.
Do you think Indigenous people should have a say when Parliament and government make laws and policies about Indigenous affairs?
I don't know
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 other comments on this Indigenous group?
Important to ensure that it represents as many indigenous perspectives as possible. Not make the error of thinking 'indigenous' voices have to be unanimous.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Remove overt racism from our constitution
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual