Discussion paper response

Habonim Dror Australia
What is the name of the organisation?
Habonim Dror Australia
What is the postal code of the organisation?
None
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 be a statement, inserted in the Constitution, that acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians as a preamble in a statutory Declaration of Recognition. Section 25 should be removed, along with sect
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?
A preamble in a statutory Declaration of Recognition.
What should the statement say?
It should acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and custodians of the land.
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?
Any decision needs to be made in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Do you think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
I don't know
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 to protect human rights, specifically against racism, by creating basic documents, such as a Bill of Rights.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Any decision needs to be made in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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 other comments on this Indigenous group?
Any decision needs to be made in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Section 25 allows states to disqualify people from voting because of their race, which is an antiquated, redundant and racist section, reflecting past discrimination against Indigenous peoples' rights to vote.
Is there any point in keeping it?
It should be deleted, as it will make no particularly great change to the ways the Commonwealth parliament makes laws regarding Indigenous Australians, only offering an avenue to exclude them from the political process.
Do you have any other comments?
Any decision needs to be made in partnership with Aboriginal Peoples.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Organisation