Discussion paper response

Dan Borg
What is your full name?
Dan Borg
What is your postal code?
3058
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 am supportive of changing the Constitution to formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Straight islander people. I believe that this change should be one of a number of broader measures in support of recognition that are considered by government and i
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 statutory declartion of recognition rather than a preamble to a new head of power.
What should the statement say?
Not sure - I am supportive of the suggested statement in the Discussion paper
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?
There should be a provision to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - the discussion paper makes the case well. However, any such laws need to be accompanied with safeguards to stop racial discrimination.
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?
Indigenous Australians only
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?
I don't think an Indigenous group established under the Constitution is necessarily the best approach to ensure that Indigenous people have a say. What level of empowerment will this group have? Is it merely an advisory group? This is probably one of th
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Removal is an important gesture
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual