What is your full name?
John Michael Wenitong
What is your postal code?
4870
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?
Simple recognition that ATSI people were here & maintained and managed the land prior to non-indigenous settlement
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 with the original in habitants, any recognition should be placed before any other constitutional affirmations
What should the statement say?
That Australia recognizes this land is sacred to the original people and that the recent acquisition by non-indigenous peoples was by forceful invasion
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
Australia's original inhabitants exampled a culture that existed since ancient times without slavery, theft of lands or the warring nature of the early European culture.
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?
Having always been acknowledged as our original inhabitants with a formal system of government, it should be ATSI people making laws that the illegal settlers should conform to.
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 is nothing wrong with where 'it' sits now. The majority of actual cases using the legal protection of this clause never get to court, which is how the law was meant to act. The opponents of this law that claim it affects free speech are in fact a mi
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?
We could have a clause that specifically names: race & gender hate and or vilification as inimical to our society and culture and thus, able to be policed by law
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
While needing such 'law' is a sad indication that our modern society is in need of such, without such, minority's are left exposed and could be pushed toward violence as a last resort without it.
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?
No
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
The self-grown grassroots National Congress Mob is able and ready to take on this role and has the majority of ATSI Australians behind it now.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
We would move toward a more modern and equitable Australia
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Do you have any other comments?
The sooner it is gone from our Constitution the better for all Australians
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual