What is your full name?
Dr Harry Freemantle
What is your postal code?
6330
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?
Up front, along with multiple acknowledgements (for each aboriginal group)
What should the statement say?
First line recognition as the original inhabitants along with 70,000+ years habitation of the continent and nearby islands.
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?
But only when done in consultation with Aboriginal People, and consensus is reached. Not when done like the intervention. No executive powers to be vested in the government of the day. 1967 opened the door to abuse of this power.
Do you have any other comments on powers to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Only when there is full consultation with Aboriginal people. Self determination would be the ideal situation
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?
In the early paragraphs. All aspects of these paragraphs need to be changed. They were clearly discriminatory/racist (especially against the Chinese).
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?
Press for a guarantee. Don't acquiesce to the vocal xenophobic minority.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
The protections need to be backed up by full legal protections, set in place against vested interest attacks (e.g. the recent 18 c challenges).
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?
Representative of all Aboriginal and Islander groups. Corporate and governing structures set in place. protected in law.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual