In response to King Charles III visiting Canberra today, Senator Lidia Thorpe has said that Treaty with First Peoples must be central in any move towards a republic.
She says that through Treaty negotiations, First Peoples should play a key role in rewriting the Constitution, and that a Charter of Rights should be established which enshrines the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment.
Senator Thorpe says she is following in the footsteps of her uncle, Robbie Thorpe, who has long advocated for a republic through Treaty, and has been pursuing prosecution of the Crown and King Charles III for genocide crimes.
Quotes attributable to Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent Victorian Senator:
“There’s unfinished business that we need to resolve before this country can become a republic. This must happen through Treaty.
"We can move towards a Treaty Republic now. The two processes are not opposed, they’re complimentary.
“As First Peoples, we never ceded our Sovereignty over this land. The Crown invaded this country, has not sought treaty with First Peoples, and committed a Genocide of our people. King Charles is not the legitimate Sovereign of these lands.
“Any move towards a republic must not continue this injustice. Treaty must play a central role in establishing an independent nation. A republic without a Treaty must not happen.
“It’s disappointing and weak that the Albanese government has backed down on their promise for Treaty. It delays justice for First Peoples in the country, and it delays our ability to break ties with the Crown.
“Most people in this country want us to become a republic. This is the opportunity we have as a nation to finally deal with our past. Through Treaty, we can become a nation that respects the rights of First Peoples and everyone.
“We need to hurry up and get on with this. Treaty doesn’t need to be a drawn out process. First Peoples are ready to lead the way.
“King Charles is not my king. He’s not sovereign over First Peoples. And any claim to Sovereignty that this colonial government makes would not be legitimate unless Sovereignty is shared with First Peoples through Treaty. That’s how we can move forward together as a nation.”