What is your full name?
Mellissa Atkinson
What is your postal code?
4070
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?
Reworded to acknowledge, to reflect our nations traditional beginnings and our diverse future
Should we have a statement that acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia?
Yes. This should be in a normal Australian law, but not in the Constitution.
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?
It should not be absolute. Parliament having powers to make laws without consultation or consent from the indigenous community led to appalling human rights violations in our nations history. That cannot happen again!
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?
More community involvement when drafting policy, from all diverse areas of the community.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Heavier penalties and greater inforcement.
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
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Enforcing dignity and truth, that when Australia refers to All Australians, it not Just the rich and the white.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Do you have any other comments?
In an era where our differences shown To be overwhelming, rather than focusing on our similarities, Australia has a great chance to make a positive difference, and follow other Commonwealth nations, like Canada and stand against hate and bigotry. Let's no
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual