COMPLETE THE YOU ME UNITY SURVEY ON HOW ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AUSTRALIANS CAN BE RECOGNISED IN THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION

In January 2012, the panel appointed by the Prime Minister to advise the Australian Government on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples released its recommendations.

The recommendations reflect the views and ideas of the thousands of Australians who took part in more than 250 consultations and who made over 3500 submissions as well as the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, their leaders and expert legal advice.

With the recommendations now on the table, the next important step is to find out what a wider Australian audience thinks about them.

We hope you will take the time to tell us what you think. (If you want more information on specific recommendations click on the links embedded in each question).

1.Removing Section 25

Removing Section 25 of the Constitution which permits the creation of laws that could disqualify people from voting on the basis of race. For more information see Chapter 5 ‘The race provisions’.

2.Removing Section 51 (xxvi)

Removing Section 51 (xxvi) from the Constitution because it is also discriminatory in character and has the capacity to be used to the disadvantage as well as to the advantage of any group of Australians, not just Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Section 51 (xxvi) would be replaced by a new section – Section 51 A. For more information see Chapter 4 ‘Forms of recognition’ and Chapter 5 ‘The race provisions’.

3.Replacing Section 51 (xxvi)

Replacing Section 51 (xxvi) with a new section – Section 51A – to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including their prior occupation, their continuing relationship with the land, their continuing cultures, language and heritage as well as the need to secure their advancement and to retain the Australian Government’s ability to pass laws for their benefit. For more information see Chapter 4 ‘Forms of recognition’ and Chapter 5 ‘The race provisions’.

ARE YOU IN FAVOUR OR OPPOSED TO THE FOLLOWING WORDS IN THE NEW SECTION 51 A:

4.Inserting a new section – Section 116 A

Inserting a new section – Section 116 A - to prohibit racial discrimination against all Australians on the basis of race, colour or ethnic or national origin; but still allow laws to protect cultures, languages or heritage or overcome disadvantage or problems caused by past discrimination. For more information see Chapter 6 ‘Racial non-discrimination’

5.Inserting a new section – Section 27A

Inserting a new section – Section 27A – that recognises that Australia’s national language is English and that, as the original Australian languages, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are part of our national heritage. For more information see Chapter 4 ‘Forms of recognition’.