Indigenous Australian Senator calls Queen Elizabeth II 'coloniser', asked to retake oath

Australian Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe called Britain's queen a coloniser on Monday following whichthe chamber's president Sue Linesinstructed her to retake her oath of office.

While taking the oath of office, Thorpe referred to Britain's Queen Elizabeth as "the colonising Her Majesty" which caused a stir in parliament.

Thorpe, who is a Djab Wurrung and Gunnai Gunditjmara woman, belongs to the Greens party which is seeking to make changes to the constitution to recognise Indigenous minorities.

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While bearing ''true allegiance to the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II'' she raised her right fist raised above her head.

Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her platinum jubilee in February, is also Australia's head of state.

Since European colonisation began in the 1700s, Australia's Indigenous leaders have toiled for generations to win recognition for injustices suffered by their people.

Thousands of Aboriginal Australians were killed and communities were displaced when Australia was a British colony.

Australianever became a fully-fledged republic even though it gained de facto independence in 1901.

Amid a row over whether her replacement would be chosen by members of parliament Australians narrowly voted against removing the queen in 1999.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled the wording of a draft question for a referendum as part of a plan that will require governments to consult Aboriginal people on decisions that impact their lives.

(With inputs from agencies)

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