Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

  (i) that 21 April 2016 marked the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia,

  (ii) that Her Majesty's reign has now continued through the tenure of 14 Australian Prime Ministers – Menzies, Holt, McEwen, Gorton, McMahon, Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke, Keating, Howard, Rudd, Gillard, Abbott and Turnbull, and

  (iii) the vital and enduring role that Her Majesty has played in Australia's democratic strength and constitutional stability throughout the many years of her reign; and

(b) extends to Her Majesty its warmest wishes on this significant personal milestone, as well as its continued appreciation for the gracious manner in which she fulfils her duties as Queen of Australia.

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Dean Smith (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is about more than observing a personal milestone; it is another reminder of the stability and unifying power of the Crown within Australia's own institutions.

It was in her first address to our parliament at the age of 27 in 1954 that the Queen underscored the central place of the Crown within Australia's parliamentary structure. At the outset, she quoted the first section of the Australian Constitution, which establishes that legislative power will be vested in a federal parliament which shall consist of the Crown, a Senate and a House of Representatives.

She went on to say:

It is therefore a joy for me, today, to address you not as a Queen from far away, but as your Queen and as a part of your Parliament. In a real sense, you are here as my colleagues, friends and advisers.

Many decades later, I am confident this is an attitude that endures and is reflected in the gracious way our sovereign continues to fulfil all her duties.

Senator DASTYARI (New South Wales) (16:39): I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Sam Dastyari (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In acknowledging the incredible role of Her Majesty and her service, I also want to acknowledge the parents of the roughly 568 Australians who were born today who cannot hope to be Australia's head of state under our current arrangements and our current laws.

I also want to make a note: there are a lot of other Australians whose birthdays fall today, including my four-year-old daughter, Hannah, who today turns five, whose birthday I cannot be at. I do want to note that there have been some who have referred to this Senate ungraciously at times as the ‘bar scene from Star Wars.’ I note that my daughter's birthday does fall on what is known as Star Wars Day.

Question agreed to.