Change the Constitution

Having participated in two citizen meetings regarding Australia's Constitution during September at Woy Woy and Erina with 35 locals, I can report much success.

The centre of discussion was the Federal Government's proposal to amend the Constitution appropriately to include recognition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in that document.

People spoke calmly and with passion.

There were many questions as the Constitution is not a well known document.

I, however, believe that the Australian Constitution must be amended at least in the following manner:

Delete sections 25 and 51(xxv)(1) of the Australian Constitution which specifically deal with race as a criterion.

Thus the Constitution shall no longer act on race as an issue in the governance of Australia.

A section of the Constitution should be introduced that reveals the historical relationship of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples to this land before the British invasion and settlement in 1788.

A section should also recognise the importance of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' culture, its impact on the Australian populace and the indigenous right to have sovereignty of their culture.

A section proclaiming social, political and legal equality between all Australians should be included, with all individuals being equal before and under the law without discrimination based on race, colour, nationality or ethnicity, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability (as in the Canadian Constitution).

I further believe that a treaty should be entered into between the representatives of the original owners of the Australian lands and mainstream Australian peoples to create a Bill of Rights to protect social and political justice.

Email, 24 Sep 2011 Noel Olive, Umina