ANKARA –The death of Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has ignited debate in Australia over the future of the monarchy in the country.
Right after the queen’s death, Indigenous Australian newsreader Narelda Jacobs sparked a heated debate on social media after she called for the British monarchy to apologise for its colonisation of First Nations people.
While some Australians supported Jacobs’ remarks, her request was met with backlash from some Britons, reported Anadolu Agency.
She received many congratulatory messages on social media, but some argued that complaining about colonialism is a “waste of time” because the issue is no longer relevant to modern society.
Describing the royal family as a “symbol of colonisation”, Jacobs said she should not be criticised for refusing to mourn Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
She further said that Australia was settled without the consent of First Nations people, asking what the royal family did to make up for that.
“While the world has united in grief over the Queen’s passing, colonised people have also united over their trauma,” she said, sharing her views on the Australian morning television show Studio 10.
But critics of the TV presenter opposed her remarks, saying on social media that “occupation and conquering other people’s lands is a fact of human history,” and “nobody owes an apology. The world has progressed,” and in addition, “bourgeois activists like Narelda do nothing but divert attention and resources from problems that really need to be resolved.”
Australia declared its loyalty to King Charles III, who ascended the throne after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 at the age of 96.
Australian Governor-General David Hurley announced that they accepted the reign of King Charles III and pledged allegiance at a ceremony held in the capital, Canberra.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that September 22 would be declared a day of mourning and a public holiday in memory of the late queen.
Right after her passing, discussions spread in Australia about separating from the monarchy.
Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt said in a tweet offering his condolences that Australia should move forward and transition to a republic and also called for a treaty with First Nations people. – Bernama, September 14, 2022
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