Discussion paper response

Talia Slonim
What is your full name?
Talia Slonim
What is your postal code?
3161
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?
A new clause should be inserted in the Australian 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?
Perhaps in Covering Clauses or in Miscellaneous
What should the statement say?
It should recognise that they are the original and true custodians of the land, and potentially recognise the history they were subjected to (i.e. that their land was stolen).
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
It should be articulated by Indigenous Australians so that some closure may be given.
Should the word 'race' be taken out of the Constitution?
I don't know
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?
a committee that overlooks laws so that they do not discriminate against races (like the Australian Human Rights Commission)
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?
Comprised of different members of the Aboriginal community so as to represent a diverse range of voices, while still promoting community leaders
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual