Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and to pass on the condolences of the community of Pearce. We not only grieve the loss of a much loved Queen who was the epitome of loyalty, strength and dignity and who dedicated her life to service; we also celebrate what was an historic reign of 70 years. Indeed, our Queen was a constant reassurance and comfort in an era of change. For me, like many in my electorate of Pearce in WA—one of the fastest-growing and largest communities in Western Australia, with 42 per cent of residents born overseas—Queen Elizabeth was the only monarch we have known, and she was also much loved. In fact, there is a constant stream of members of my community signing the condolences book in my office, and there are many requests for portraits of the Queen.

In 1947, aged 21, Princess Elizabeth, in a radio broadcast whilst on an official tour of South Africa with her parents and her sister, Margaret, stated:

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

In 1952, at 25 years of age, the princess became Queen Elizabeth II, and 70 years later those words remain true, reflecting a lifetime of loyal service. During that same broadcast, the princess spoke about hope, as the world sought to recover following the Second World War. She stated:

If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this ancient commonwealth, which we all love so dearly, an even grander thing—more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world …

She then went on to say:

To accomplish that, we must give nothing less than the whole of ourselves.

Words of wisdom indeed. Over the course of Her Majesty's reign, the Commonwealth grew from seven nations to 56 members, representing 2.5 billion people.

Next to me is my father's Grenadier Guards forage cap. My granddad, great-uncles, dad and uncle all served in the military. However, my dad chose the Grenadier Guards in which to serve. I also have a cross-stitch that my mum, as a young engaged woman, created. She added one stitch per day that her fiance was away on official duty with the Grenadier Guards. The result now is a beautiful cross-stitch of a Grenadier Guard proudly wearing his bearskin. During my childhood, very little was said about my dad's military career and his time in the SAS parachute corps, but I remember asking him why he joined the Grenadier Guards. His answer was swift and simple. He turned his full attention to me and without hesitation said, 'To serve and protect the Queen.' I remember the emotion in his eyes. I remember every fibre of my being reacting to the deep-seated, genuine reaction that I had just witnessed. It was spontaneous and it was genuine. It was a reaction that I vividly recalled just a few days ago whilst watching, like many others in this place and around the world, the Queen's state funeral. Her Majesty's royal military procession did her proud. It was a true reflection of the respect, love and loyalty each individual serviceman and servicewoman had for their Queen, and this resonated right around the world.

Having attended official Buckingham Palace events with my parents as a young girl, I saw for myself how much the Queen enjoyed meeting people and talking with them, easily putting everybody at ease with her caring demeanour. Her Majesty would not be rushed by officials and often had those to whom she was talking spontaneously burst out laughing at a comment she had made. Without doubt, the Queen most certainly did have a good sense of humour.

Her Majesty's devotion and service to her family, her nation and the Commonwealth was unparalleled, and I'm so very thankful to have borne witness to how much she cared genuinely about others. Our Queen was a loving wife, mother, aunty, granny, great-granny, great-aunty, friend and ruler and did her country proud. Leaders from all corners of the world attended the state funeral to pay respects. It was respect well and truly earnt and deserved. We all witnessed the outpouring of love and emotion expressed through community connection and presence. To King Charles, members of the royal family and her staff members: our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve your loss. May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rest in eternal peace, reunited with her beloved husband, strength and stay, Prince Philip.

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