Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

A lot has already been said today and over the past two weeks about Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We've heard words like 'kind', 'generous', 'personable', a 'humble leader', an 'inspiration', a 'mainstay' of most of our lives. The list of words could go on and on, but it would never be enough to truly encapsulate the incredible woman who we honour in this place today. Who she was, what she did and the way she did those things had a way of transcending the everyday. She led the Commonwealth through the worst of wars. She saw world leaders come and go. She was above politics but far from ignorant of it. She was the prime example of everything a sovereign should be. But, despite her high position, she had a way of touching the lives of so many.

Among the outpouring of grief and the sense of loss that is spread throughout all the communities of Australia has been the moving reaction of the people of Townsville. Like many members in this place, I set up a condolence book, in my electorate office, for local residents. The response has been incredible. For the past two weeks, barely five minutes has passed without someone coming in to write a message. It only serves to show what an incredible impact the Queen had on the people of Townsville—even though we are almost 15,000 kilometres away.

Local resident Paul wrote:

Thank you for being there my entire life. You provided us stability and security. I will always remember proudly singing 'God Save the Queen' every morning at the start of school.

Jean wrote:

You did it all … with great faith, grace, kindness and a wonderful smile. Thank you, Ma'am.

Rhys wrote:

A guiding figure through some of our darkest days. Someone who cared and respected all. Will be sorely missed.

And a young man named Charlie wrote:

I had the honour of visiting your palace. It was lovely. My nanna actually lost me in it and your guards looked after her.

Some of those who left messages had personal memories of the Queen's two visits to Townsville in 1954 and in 1970. The Townsville Bulletin on Saturday 13 March 1954 had coverage of the visit of the day before splashed across every page of the edition. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness landed at RAAF Garbutt and travelled in the black open-top car to meet hundreds at the Sports Reserve. The report read:

A hushed air came over the crowd and the anxious men, women and children longed for their first glimpse of Queen Elizabeth on North Queensland soil.

Then the pent-up emotions of the large crowd, which had waited so long, burst, and cheers, shrieks and happy greetings filled the air.

The Queen was bright-eyed and smiling as she returned to wave at the children, who were waving flags and shrieking happily.

In her message to the crowds, she said:

Your beautiful city, with the vast and fruitful region of which it is the economic capital, stands … on the threshold of an era of rapid progress … and we shall see before long how this will bring a growing measure of prosperity to your people.

How right she was.

In April 1970, the Queen, Prince Philip and Princess Anne returned, visiting the Sports Reserve and then James Cook University and stopping in at Lavarack Barracks. At JCU, she gave the royal assent to the James Cook University of North Queensland Bill and said:

Queensland and indeed Australia will benefit greatly from this university in the years to come.

Since those two royal visits, the people of Townsville have had a deep love and appreciation of the Queen and her love for the north. You only have to look at the hundreds of her portraits which we've given out over the years, which of course are now out of stock.

With the passing of Her Majesty comes a new sovereign: King Charles III. I had the privilege of meeting the then Prince of Wales back in 2014, along with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. I wish the King every success and look forward to another royal visit to Townsville. In the meantime, on behalf of the people of Townsville, I express my condolences to the royal family and offer our gratitude to Her late Majesty. Thank you, ma'am, for everything. Long live the King.

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