Discussion paper response

Kevin Lee McDonnell
What is your full name?
Kevin Lee McDonnell
What is your postal code?
2745
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?
The Constitution should recognize that Australia was occupied and managed by Indigenous Australians for millennia before the arrival of Europeans.
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?
As the first item in the Constitution
What should the statement say?
It should say that Australia was occupied and managed by Indigenous Australians for millennia before the arrival of Europeans.
Do you have any other comments on a statement about the First Peoples of Australia?
It is important to recognize their spiritual connection with the land and the fact that they managed it sustainably. All changes must be developed by and in consultation with the First Peoples themselves.
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?
Indigenous Australians should be empowered to make laws for themselves within parameters recognized in the Constitution.
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?
All Federal and State legislation needs to be reviewed and if necessary amended to ensure that all racial discrimination is removed.
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?
It should be representative as far as possible of all indigenous Australians.
Do you have any other comments on this Indigenous group?
Again, any such move must be developed by and in consultation with First Australians themselves.
Should we delete section 25?
Yes
What would we achieve by getting rid of section 25?
Probably not much in practical terms if it is not being invoked, but it has huge symbolic significance.
Is there any point in keeping it?
No.
Are you making a submission on behalf of a person (such as yourself) or organisation?
Individual