Senator Lidia Thorpe has called for Treaty with First Peoples to be central in any move towards a republic, shortly after joining a protest marking Charles III's visit to Canberra Monday morning.
The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung senator said 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 said she is following in the footsteps of her uncle, Robbie Thorpe, who has long advocated for a republic through Treaty, and has been perusing legal proceedings against the Crown for genocide.
During the protest in Canberra, a police officer grabbed Senator Thorpe's shirt during a brief struggle.
The demonstrators were told to move back from a barrier around one hour before Charles III and Camilla were set to arrive. A police officer told the crowd to move to an area designated for protests.
The group, who held a large Aboriginal flag and signs condemning the king and the controversial AUKUS pact, did not move until Australian Federal Police officers arrived.
It has been reported an officer officer pointed at Senator Thorpe and shouted "arrest her". A female officer then tussled with the Senator, at one point taking hold of her shirt. Senator Thorpe removed her outer shirt and walked away, later rejoining the protest.
"Everything that we suffer in this country is because of that colonial invasion," she said.
Later, Senator Thorpe said: "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," she said.
"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."
The Victorian independent senator said the federal government's retreat from the promise of Treaty was "disappointing and weak"
"It delays justice for First Peoples in the country, and it delays our ability to break ties with the Crown," she said.
"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."
Senator Thorpe said "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."
