What is your full name?
Katherine Anne McNamara
What is your postal code?
2777
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?
Mention early in the constitution, acknowledging with respect the longstanding civilizations of the First Peoples of this land.
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?
Near the beginning
What should the statement say?
Australian Government accepts that First Peoples were living in Australia, long before it was colonized by Britain. Their civilizations have allowed them to survive in and care deeply for this land.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
Maybe something could be said inviting non aboriginal people to learn more from aboriginal people about the richness of their heritage.
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?
Not unless aboriginal people wanted it.
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?
There are State laws
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
I would hope that the wording in the constitution would be such that discrimination would offend the spirit of the law.
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?
A group that dialogues with government on equal terms.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
If the aboriginal group is treated as subservient, or treats itself as subservient, partner to government deliberations, it will not be successful.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
shallow stereotypes. What we want to celebrate is much more than physical features.
Is there any point in keeping it?
no
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual