Discussion paper response

David John Smyth
What is your full name?
David John Smyth
What is your postal code?
6160
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?
Acknowledgement
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?
Not sure, and I probably don't understand the significance of the different sections (preamble, body etc). No strong opinion
What should the statement say?
Acknowledge A&TSI were here before Europeans arrived. Acknowledge their long and continuous relationship with the land. Acknowledge the respect and debt that all modern Australians owe them.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
No
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?
No
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
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?
No other change needed, we already have Racial Discrimination acts
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
No
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?
No
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
Don't think the Constitution is the place for this as it is too hard to change and evolve in the future
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
I had no idea this existed and it sounds archaic
Is there any point in keeping it?
No
Do you have any other comments?
Keep discussion about a potential Treaty completely separate from constitutional recognition or it will never pass
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual