What is your full name?
Catherine Crittenden
What is your postal code?
2130
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?
It should look as a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander want it to look and not take the minimalist approach referred to in the document.
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?
At the beginning. These are the first people of Australia.
What should the statement say?
The wording should be satisfactory to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It should make clear that their land was taken from them and that for many years they have been subject to unfair discrimination. That's an acknowledgement of history.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
We're not giving the land back, and we're still bickering over Native Title. Something in the Constitution which Indigenous people felt proud about and which committed the country to fair treatment henceforth would be a massive step forward.
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?
I don't know where the appropriate place is. But what should be clear is that special laws would only be enacted to discriminate in favour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and only after extensive consultation and input, most particularly w
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?
No. But if Americans can carry guns and be protected by their Constitution, I think we can manage to a guarantee against 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?
Maintain all the laws and introduce new ones as required to stop racial discrimination, not just against Australians, but anyone who is in our country.
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?
One would not want to remove the flexibility for Indigenous people to organise themselves as they see fit. However, having some kind of elected representative group is very important.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Race doesn't seem to be relevant when voting. Removal would make this clear.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual