Discussion paper response

Andrew Gilbert Piper
What is your full name?
Andrew Gilbert Piper
What is your postal code?
2454
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?
The First People of Australia need to be recognised as such in the constitution. Their rights as the original inhabitants should be recognised and encoded in the Constitution
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 the first paragraphs of the constitution
What should the statement say?
We Australians acknowledge the prior settlement on our continent of our First People. We affirm they are the long term occupiers of our land. We regret their removal from the land. We affirm equality of opportunity for all people making Australia their ho
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
They have been "done over" on so many occasions. This wrong needs to be righted and checks put in place to ensure it does not continue.
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 think that a guarantee against racial discrimination should go into the Constitution?
Yes
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?
Education and a positive lead from Government and Polititions
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 other comments on this Indigenous group?
An Indigenous group needs to have some real power to block measures they genuinely think are not in their best interests.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Racism banned
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual