House debates

Friday, 23 September 2022

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

Address

11:24 am

Photo of Justine ElliotJustine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to make a contribution to this condolence motion for Queen Elizabeth II, and I pay my respects for her extraordinary life of leadership, duty and service.

On her 21st birthday, in a speech broadcast on the radio from Cape Town, the Queen, who was then Princess Elizabeth, dedicated her life to the people of the Commonwealth, in which she said:

I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service—

And as the Archbishop of Canterbury said at the Queen's funeral:

Rarely has such a promise been so well kept.

Today we proudly honour her memory.

Queen Elizabeth II had such an enduring relationship and fondness for our country, visiting Australia 16 times over 57 years between 1954 and 2011. In that time, she visited each and every state and territory, including the opening of our federal parliament in 1988. Her Majesty's trips to Australia were often lengthy, with her visit in 1954 spanning eight weeks. I pay tribute to all these visits, particularly those ones to regional Australia. In fact, on the royal tour in 1963, Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh made visits to over 70 country towns across the nation, which of course included our beautiful Northern Rivers and places close to home like Casino and Lismore. Many across the nation have fond and everlasting memories of meeting or seeing the Queen and were deeply touched by her warmth and her generosity and her interest in the lives of all Australians.

In 2000, on Her Majesty's 13th visit to Australia, she explained:

It is my duty to seek to remain true to the interests of Australia and all Australians … That is my duty. It is also my privilege and my pleasure.

Now, we all know the loss of the Queen is being felt right throughout the Commonwealth, throughout Australia, and indeed, throughout my electorate of Richmond. Many on the New South Wales North Coast are mourning her loss intensely, a loss of a constant and reassuring presence in all of our lives, one who was a source of comfort and familiarity against the backdrop of an ever-changing world.

My office, like many here, has been inundated with countless tributes and many attending in person to sign the condolence book. These contributions include a deep appreciation for the kindness shown by the Queen whenever Australia fell into crisis, such as floods, bushfires, the pandemic—all of which my electorate has felt acutely. I'd share some of the sentiments shared by some of the community in the condolence book. From a very young child:

Thank you so much for everything you've done and all your service. You were such a loyal and loving Queen, and I am so grateful that we got to call you our Queen.

Fely Hamer, the coordinator of the Tweed Filipino Support Group, said:

The loss of a significant personality in the world is a setback for us all. Condolences.

Brenda Jack of Kingcsliff said:

A thousand thank yous. There will never be another so dedicated and so loved.

Of course, many of the contributions in the condolence book have even included some lovely messages about Her Majesty's corgis, and I can inform those interested the Queen had 30 dogs that she cared for throughout her lifetime.

Today, along with my parliamentary colleagues, I pay tribute to Her Majesty's lifetime of leadership, loyalty and commitment. This year was of particular significance with the Queen celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. In her role as the Head of the British Armed Forces, the Queen acted as the captain-general and colonel-in-chief of a number of Australian defence force corps and units. It was because of this that the Queen was always a champion of defence forces right across the Commonwealth. She often met with ex-service personnel wherever she visited. In honouring the Queen's dedication to our armed forces, I, of course, pay tribute to all the veterans in my electorate of Richmond.

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, an historic reign and a long life devoted to duty, faith, family and service have come to an end. There is, indeed, comfort to be found in Her Majesty's own words: 'Grief is the price we pay for love.' Now is also the time to send our thoughts to King Charles and the entire royal family, who've lost a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The fact is Her Majesty provided continuity and certainty during some of the most uncertain times, and she now rightfully takes her place in history amongst the most revered.

In 2006, during a visit to parliament, the Queen described the people of Australia as 'leavened by generous warmth and humour'. This is how we today are remembering her. Vale Her Majesty the Queen. May you be eternally with your strength and stay.

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