What is your full name?
Meredith Greer
What is your postal code?
3931
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?
It must be stated clearly in the constitution that Aboriginal people are the original owners and custodians of Australia. As such, they must be afforded the respect and consideration that is their right.
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?
Acknowledgement should be stated at the beginning of the Constitution
What should the statement say?
That ATSI peoples are the original owners, occupiers and custodians of this country. They are the oldest continuous culture in the world and deserve the full respect of the Australian community of which they are members.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
Their views, opinions and needs should be considered in all constitutional matters.
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?
Laws made should be equal across the population - we are all the same, we are all Australians.
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?
At the beginning of the Constitution with words such as - "all Australians have the right to live in Australian society without being subjected to racial discrimination.
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?
Follow up breaches of discrimination laws with prosecutions.
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 ideas about what the new group would look like?
Members elected by ASTI communities, not just those familiar to white people.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
It needs to have power to veto laws that are counter- productive for ATSI people.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Eliminate an example of racism.
Is there any point in keeping it?
????? I can't think of one.
Do you have any other comments?
I dearly wish and hope that Recognition is achieved in the Constitution.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual