THE leader of the Australian Greens party reiterated his support for the country to become a republic today after MPs returned to parliament following a break to observe Elizabeth Windsor’s death.

An obscure and long-standing protocol in Australia bars parliament from sitting for 15 days following a British monarch’s death.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese decided to follow the protocol, though he has previously said he wants an Australian president as the nation’s head of state.

As MPs showered Ms Windsor and Britain's newly crowned King Charles III, Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt took a different approach.

“The queen’s passing means that we get a new head of state without having any say in the matter,” Mr Bandt said.

“It is absolutely the appropriate time to talk respectfully about whether that is right for us as a country.

“We can offer our condolences to those grieving her personally, while also talking respectfully about what it means for us as a people.”