What is your full name?
John Carroll
What is your postal code?
2614
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 should be the starting point of the constitution. It should pay attention to turning around the exclusivity of the current constitution and making it inclusive and consistent in application to all Australians.
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?
In the preamble.
What should the statement say?
It should clearly state how long Indigenous Australians lived here, how they respected and cared for the land, how they lost access to the land, and how they were excluded by white settlement and how much of the effects of white settlement cannot be rever
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
There is much to value in the culture of the indigenous culture that is relevent at the broad level of current Australia, eg respecting the land.
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?
Race is not a valid prinicple for making law in an egalitarian society. And if it was how can a persons race be determined ? Is it facial features, skin colour, lines of ascendants, one's own sense of belonging, a blood test ? From an admistrative pers
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?
A government cannot guarantee a stop to racial discrimination, it can only lead the way by acknowledging that racial discrimination is detrimental to Australia and that is will not be used as a basis for law.
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?
It must be done in the constitution. The constitution defines Australia to a large degree, we must be very clear in this document not to tolerate racial discrimination.
Do you have any other comments on changing the Constitution to stop racial discrimination?
Less than 20 years ago the Howard government fought in the High Court for the view that s51xxvi could be used to the detriment of any race. And of course s51xxvi can be used in that way, the wording is quite clear and simple. Racism must be removed from
Do you think Indigenous people should have a say when Parliament and government make laws and policies about Indigenous affairs?
No
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?
We are all efected by the laws of the parliament either directly or indirectly. We all need a voice and that is how the system is supposed to work. If it is not working then that part of our system needs to be addressed. This movement for change will move
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
It is step closer to getting racism out of the constitution
Is there any point in keeping it?
None
Do you have any other comments?
The pressure point for Recognition is s51xxvi. The PM and all members of parliament need to be challenged on it. Will they endorse it, yes or no ? and take it from there. I used to write letters challenging John Howard to endorse s51xxvi over 20 years ag
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual