King Charles has been urged to formally apologise for the impact of colonisation in a scathing letter co-signed by controversial senator Lidia Thorpe.
Representatives from 12 international locations, together with New Zealand (Aotearoa), Canada, the Bahamas and Jamaica, made the assertion forward of the monarch’s Coronation on Sunday.
It referred to as on the brand new king to decide to reparations, acknowledge the impression of slavery and return the stays of Indigenous individuals and cultural artefacts.
“We stand united in engaging in a process to right the wrongs of the past and to continue the process of decolonisation,” the letter mentioned.
Nova Peris, the primary Indigenous lady elected to federal parliament and co-chair of the Australian Republic Movement, additionally signed the letter alongside Senator Thorpe.
Senator Thorpe, who left the Greens earlier this yr to guide the black sovereignty motion, mentioned neither the Crown nor the Australian authorities had “been held to account” for colonisation.
“The British monarchy oversaw the oppression of First Nations peoples in British colonies all over the world,” she mentioned in a press release.
“The horrific impacts of British colonisation, including the genocide of our people, theft of our land and denigration of our culture, are still felt today.
“The genocidal project that commenced in 1788 still continues and neither the British Crown nor the Australian government have been held to account for the crimes they have committed.”
She confused that Australia didn’t want a king and referred to as for the nation to “move towards cutting ties with the Crown”.
“We have unfinished business to settle before this can happen. A Republic that hasn’t resolved the injustices of terra nullius continues the violent legacy of colonisation, and this is why the federal government must commence Treaty negotiations at a national level.”
Senator Thorpe has beforehand expressed a need for a gathering with King Charles.
The letter comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a lifelong republican, mentioned he would swear an oath of allegiance to King Charles throughout his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
Mr Albanese prolonged an invite to the monarch, Queen Camilla and the remainder of the royal household to go to Australia throughout his personal viewers with the King.
“It was very warm. I appreciated the discussion that we had,” he informed reporters whereas visiting Barrow-in-Furness in northern England in a single day.
“King Charles has a great love and an affection for Australia. It comes from his time as a student there but also his many visits to Australia.”
NED-8846-Australia’s Coronation friends
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
