Discussion paper response

Eileen Teresa Hayes
What is your full name?
Eileen Teresa Hayes
What is your postal code?
3070
Do you support recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by changing the Constitution or making some other kind of legal change?
Yes
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?
The Constitution
What should the statement say?
The statement should acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first inhabitants of this land and their occupation goes back for at least 60,000 years. We acknowledge the continuing cultures, languages and heritage of our First Peoples an
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?
This power should be used for the good of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and made only with their consent.
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?
There should be a statement in the Constitution that prevents the Australian Parliament from discriminating against people of any race or culture.
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?
Not enough support????
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?
The new group should be broadly representative of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
It would stop discrimination and give proper representation of the population in parliament
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual