What is your full name?
Nicole Cowper
What is your postal code?
2016
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?
changing the constitution to recognise the unique role of aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples in the history of this land, and their unique role in the present and the future. this ridiculous and fallacious ides of terra nullius should be aband
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 very beginning, so it is loudly proclaimed
What should the statement say?
it must acknowledge their ownership of this country and waters from before time, and acknowledge the duration and sophistication of their society. we must eradicate the widely held view that aboriginal society was unsophisticated and primitive. there is
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
It needs to change the general perception of aboriginal and torres strait islander peoples and turn all of the prejudice and ignorance on it's head. any statement must acknowledge our debt to aboriginal australia.
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?
Aboriginal and torres strait people must have the right to self determination. they must have the right, in the constitution to make laws for themselves. they have 60,000 years worth of experience in doing so which we must recognize.
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, sorry - to my great shame I am not familiar enough with the constitution to make a comment on this
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?
make sure that every bill passed by Parliament contains a strong statement
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
I support a statement against racial discrimination applying to all australians, but I believe it must be very strong in relations to aboriginal and torres straight islander people. After all we have an historic legacy of discrimination to undo as aborig
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 other comments on this Indigenous group?
I am ashamed to say that even a formal mechanism to give advice is a step in the right direction but it is not enough. This means white man still has control. why can't we have an EEO policy within political parties and parliament, that ensures that a c
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
removing the right to discriminate against anyone on the basis of race in the voting
Is there any point in keeping it?
absolutely not - no one should ever be prevented from voting because of their race. what an abomination!
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual