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AAP
AAP
Politics
Andrew Brown and Alex Mitchell

Queen's legacy among Indigenous 'complex'

The Queen's death has evoked mixed feelings among her own family, says Senator Malarndirri McCarthy. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

The monarchy's legacy in Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remains difficult and painful in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's death, according to the Indigenous Australians minister.

MPs and senators have used Friday's parliamentary condolences for the late Queen to urge for greater reconciliation and to reflect on the impact of colonisation on Indigenous people.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, a Wiradjuri woman, offered condolences to the late monarch's family, and said there had been a range of emotions among the community following the Queen's death.

"For many Indigenous Australians, the legacy of the monarchy is fraught - a complex, difficult and painful reminder of the impact of colonisation," she told parliament.

"This week has seen many wrestling with the swirling emotions ... but equally there are many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that have respect for the Queen.

"The Queen's relationship with Indigenous Australians reflects both how far we have come and how far we still have to go."

Greens leader Adam Bandt called for a treaty with Indigenous people to be a key focus following the Queen's death.

"We must recognise the cultural, structural and institutional ways in which the crown, which we remain a part of, has oppressed First Nations people here and around the world," he said.

"When it comes to our history, there is no glory and make-believe because the pain of colonisation is real."

Greens senator Dorinda Cox, a Yamatji-Noongar woman, said while the Queen was a symbolic figure to many, the emotions following her death were varied.

"Amongst these are the feelings of anger to stress, hurt, and frustration by First Nations people who, unfortunately, their sorry business does not end today," she said.

"We are a mature nation, people will have conversations that both commemorate the life of a public figure, while calling out the problematic legacy of the British Empire."

Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy, a Yanyuwa woman, spoke of the mixed feelings felt among her own family upon the Queen's death.

"We reflected on what the monarchy has meant, and what the world of colonialism has meant ... and know deeply, the pain (of) the frontier wars and the conflicts that came with that," she said.

"Maybe the Queen was not directly responsible for that, but we know these are the mixed feelings and emotions of so many across the globe in the Commonwealth lands for First Nations people."

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