Discussion paper response

Jim Poulyer
What is your full name?
Jim Poulyer
What is your postal code?
3106
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?
Our constitution is a sterile document that is just a scheme of arrangement between the states to create a federation. It says nothing about who we are as a people a culture and a nation. There should be a statement of principle in the constitution such a
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?
In a preamble
What should the statement say?
The nation and people of Australia formally recognise the prior sovereignty of Australia's First People and their unique and continuing contribution to our Australian cultural heritage.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
The abominable concept of Terra Nullius actually died with the Mabo decision in the High Court on 3rd June 1992, but 25 years later its corpse is still stinking the place up. By recognising prior sovereignty we will finally give Terra Nullius the constitu
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?
In a plural democratic society with a commitment to citizen equality, there is an automatic commitment to redressing inequality and not allowing the perpetuation of disadvantage. No special laws are required on the basis of race for this to be achieved.
Do you think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
No
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?
See my previous statement. A guarantee of citizen equality under the rule of law in the constitution means that any law implying racial discrimination is liable to challenge in the High Court and can be ruled invalid.and
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
What else do you need?
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?
Yes
Do you have any ideas about what the new group would look like?
It should be linked to a community based but government funded network that plugs into consumer and citizen experiences of government service delivery and so can provide ongoing feedback in the cycle of continuous improvement of service delivery.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
It should not be some sort of shadow parliament but a representative mechanism that plugs into ongoing consumer experiences.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
We would not look ridiculous.
Is there any point in keeping it?
Only if we like looking ridiculous
Do you have any other comments?
Plenty
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual