House debates

Friday, 23 September 2022

Death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ii and Accession of His Majesty King Charles Iii

Address

10:10 am

Photo of Julian HillJulian Hill (Bruce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Contrary to the speculation of my colleagues, there is no risk of a breach of standing order 88. But I am going to start with a confession, and I've never said this publicly. Despite being a loud and proud lifelong republican, I have a small secret collection of royal glassware—George VI coronation glasses from 1937, Queen Elizabeth II coronation glasses from 1953, official cups from Her Majesty's Australian tour in 1954 and the odd Queen's jubilee mementos from the years, most recently some coffee cups for her Diamond Jubilee that someone gave me. I also have some lovely Charles and Di royal wedding glasses from 1981, although it's best we don't dwell on those! It may seem quite incongruous to those who know me that I have such a collection, but it was handed down from my grandmother to my mother and from my mum to me. It's certainly not unique. I know others who have such ephemera and, like me, are not quite sure what to do with them. It seems a bit wrong to throw them out, although we have no real purpose for them in the modern age. But such was the magic of the monarchy for so many Australians over so many years that people like my mum collected trinkets commemorating royal occasions and milestones. Last week some friends were over, all republicans, but we got the royal glasses out to have a little toast to the Queen and a life well lived.

It is entirely appropriate to record a few words now, I believe, both as an Australian and on behalf of the Bruce electorate, in recognition of the service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II through her long reign. This is not a motion about what our system of government could be, or should be, or the British Empire or colonialism, or the Queen or the King's role in the dismissal or whatever else some may try to make it today. It's a motion of condolence to recognise a truly remarkable life well lived and the passing of Australia's head of state. Whatever the different views people may hold on constitutional monarchy, Her Majesty was Australia's head of state for over 70 years. Almost all Australians have never known any other sovereign. She reigned for well over half of the length of our Federation. Indeed, she is the only British monarch and therefore the only Australian head of state ever to have actually visited Australia, and she did so 16 times. Some 70 per cent of Australia's population at the time were said to have seen her in 1954 on her first tour. She reigned always in accordance with the values of the oath that she took to serve the people of Australia and the Commonwealth. We should acknowledge that with respect and gratitude. Hers was a remarkable role model of service and, as was aptly said yesterday, servant leadership. The crown fell upon her head when she was just 25 years old. She fulfilled her duties with dignity, grace, never a hint of personal scandal and always in the public interest.

I will quote Paul Keating's poignant words upon her death:

Queen Elizabeth … instinctively attached herself to the public good against what she recognised as a tidal wave of private interest and private reward. And she did this for a lifetime. Never deviating.

He also said:

She was an exemplar of public leadership, married for a lifetime to political restraint, remaining always the constitutional monarch.

Elizabeth II was a constant figure across so much of the world for the better part of a century. With her passing ends an era, the so-called second Elizabethan age. You won't find speeches from me lauding the coming of the so-called third Carolean era or singing or chanting the British national anthem, but Elizabeth was an icon of an age, of generations, for Britain, our nation and the world.

In 2010, the Queen addressed the United Nations General Assembly. She did so as the head of state for 16 member states and head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries. She commenced her address by saying, 'I believe I was last here in 1957.' What a true remarkable incarnation she had through a span of history. Today it's right that the parliament honours the service of Her Majesty the Queen, whose like will not be seen again in our lifetimes—if ever. Her memory will live for centuries hence. May she rest in eternal peace.

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