What is your full name?
Maureen Smith
What is your postal code?
3122
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?
In the words of Mr Jim Poulter and Uncle Bill Nicholson which I thoroughly agree with - ‘Australia is a plural democratic society in which all citizens are equal and remain equal subject to the Rule of Law and all provisions within this Constitution must
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?
Unable to answer this question
What should the statement say?
As above
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?
Yes
Do you have any ideas on what new words could be used to describe that power, or where in the Constitution to put the power?
Government Laws can only be those that benefit and further protect our First Peoples
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?
Our Constitution should reflect that racial discrimination against people of any race is not accepted in our laws
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
Do you have any other comments?
The sins of governments passed cannot be undone but today a major rethink is desperately needed. The rights of Aboriginal people are so often traded for political self-interest by our government. Genuine consultation needs to be immediate. Aboriginal pe
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual