Bruce Scott (Maranoa, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

It is with a great sense of pride that I rise today to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who yesterday took the title of the longest-serving United Kingdom monarch. She has exceeded the reign of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who served for 63 years seven months and two days.

But it is not about the milestone; it is not about the fact that she has served longer than any other monarch and has served longer than Queen Victoria. I think that what she has done in her lifetime in making that commitment is a value that we could all learn from. Her commitment was that she would reign for as long as she would live—I am not quite sure of her exact words, but that was her commitment, in effect.

As a very young child at the time of her coronation, I well remember the celebration across many parts of Australia—in fact, also being brought in from a country town in western Queensland on a steam train to see Her Majesty at the Brisbane cricket ground—the Gabba today. I think it was in 1956, as she made a visit around many parts of Australia. It was a celebration; it was one of those things that brought our community together. And throughout her life Her Majesty has brought stability to the role of Queen and monarch and also to the role of head-of-state, represented here very well by the Governor General.

Queen Elizabeth originally assumed the throne at the age of 25—a very young person. She never aspired to become the Queen; it was one of those things that her life course has taken her on. Throughout her reign she has made official visits to 116 countries together with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who has also visited my constituency. They have been married for some 68 years. I know that when there is a royal visit to Australia, whether it be by the Queen with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, or Prince Charles and his wife or the younger royals, it is amazing that those people who say they support a republic are always in the front row. I have witnessed that here recently in Parliament House, with people wanting to get forward and shake the hand of Prince William in the Great Hall. So, they are an inspiration. But I think it is the values and the role that they play and represent that brings so many people together, to want to be associated with the visit and all that it stands for.

One of the great things about the Commonwealth, of which she is head, is that under her reign it has gone from a very small organisation to now having representation by 53 Commonwealth countries around the world. The Commonwealth is a great force for good and, once again, I think it is associated with Her Majesty's leadership. The very fact that she is the head of the Commonwealth has brought these countries together not based on ethnicity or geography. I have witnessed many of these meetings over the time, and it is not based on the colour of your skin and it is not based on your religion. They are Commonwealth countries that have the rule of law in a parliamentary system based on the Westminster system but, once again, wanting to associate strongly with the Commonwealth headed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

The other thing that I think the Commonwealth has done—obviously, through Her Majesty's leadership in leading the Commonwealth and bringing it together—is the establishment of the Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games bring, once again, the countries of the Commonwealth together to compete on the sporting field on equal terms. In many cases young athletes never achieve the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games. The Commonwealth Games bring to the sporting field athletes from all walks of life with different religions and backgrounds from countries geographically spread around the world. That is a legacy that I will always look towards and say that it is one of the great strengths of the Commonwealth, along with the great leadership and inspiration that comes from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for all of us to follow.

In my constituency, the seat of Maranoa, when there was a referendum to see whether Australia might become a republic it was one of those hotly debated debates. There was a constitutional meeting here in Canberra that brought people together to see what the question should be. The member on my right might have been there or inspired to make a submission as to what form of question we should have. I watched with interest because I thought that, as members, we were going to have to communicate a message to our constituency. I am very pleased that my constituency of Maranoa had the highest no vote for change from the existing system of constitutional monarchy for all that it represents and all the civility that it brings to us. It had the highest no vote in Australia.

An honourable member: It was 77 per cent.

Indeed it was. I remember at the time the Prime Minister, John Howard, whose constituency, I might add, voted for it, said, 'Bruce, how did they go in Maranoa?' I said, 'They voted overwhelmingly no.' He said, 'Well done in the kingdom of Maranoa.' I said, 'Prime Minister, they were well informed.'

But it is more than that. Change for the sake of change means nothing. The stability that we enjoy under the constitutional monarchy, under the Westminster system of parliament, has brought great stability to this nation. It has brought us through turmoil, drought and all sorts of conflicts that we have been involved in around the world. It is the stability—the leadership and the inspiration that is taken from that stability—that has been provided by Her Majesty, through the Governor-General, through our system of government, that really matters at the end of the day.

Her Majesty has made a number of trips, and I know of at least one major one to western Queensland for the opening of the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame in 1988. The people of Longreach still recall that moment. They were not only privileged but also they felt very inspired by the fact that Her Majesty had taken up the invitation and very graciously opened what is a very important part of the history and heritage not only of early settlement in Australia but also of the stockmen and the Aboriginal people and the stories that are told and continue to be told at the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame.

I have to say that I am a very proud monarchist, with a lifetime of loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen and our flag. I can say on behalf of my constituency that I think I reflect their views as well. On behalf of my constituency, congratulations to Her Majesty. We thank you for the magnificent service and inspiration that you give us all. We wish you very good health and long may you reign.

See this speech in context