House debates

Friday, 23 September 2022

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

Address

3:09 pm

Photo of Colin BoyceColin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lived an extraordinary life which touched so many. She was our sovereign, as she was for other nations of the Commonwealth spread across the world, a monarch who ruled with empathy and wisdom both innate and gained from almost a century of life and experience. At just 25, as a young wife and mother of two, she became a mother to a nation and to the Commonwealth of Nations around the globe. She became the Queen. Following her coronation on 2 June 1953, our Queen said:

I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.

Not only did our Queen earn our trust; she also won our admiration in serving the people. The people marvelled at her unflagging service.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lived through the pivotal events of the 20th and 21st centuries—wars and conflicts, depression and recession, the end of an empire and decolonisation, the race to the moon and the attainment of civil rights, the brilliance of the Olympic Games and the barbarity of terrorism. During the Second World War, aged just 19, Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service. After joining, she trained as a driver and a mechanic with the rank of second subaltern. Five months later she was promoted to junior commander, which was the equivalent of captain. Though the world changed around her, she remained steadfast in her devotion to God, her country and the Commonwealth.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia on 16 separate occasions between 1954 and 2011, with her reign spanning 16 separate Australian prime ministers. The Queen and Prince Philip visited Rockhampton on 15 March 1954 following a major flood. The visit helped motivate the city to clean up after the Fitzroy River burst its banks and devastated the community. She visited every state and territory, opened our new Parliament House and the Sydney Opera House, and attended the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and Melbourne. Wherever she went, crowds choked the streets, cheering, clapping and waving flags to express their admiration.

Despite her royalty, she possessed extraordinary humility, greeting all those she met with courtesy, treating them as equals and offering an attentive ear. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth again exemplified the optimism, poise and stoicism which she carried throughout her life and which inspired many. She told the people of the United Kingdom via broadcast:

We will succeed … better days will return … We will meet again.

May our memories of our dear Queen inspire the very best in us.

On behalf of the Flynn electorate, I offer heartfelt condolences to the royal family and to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Many Flynn residents have contacted both my Gladstone and Emerald offices with requests for a portrait of the late Queen and have signed the condolence books to pay their respects. In conclusion, Queen Elizabeth lived a life of service to her country and the Commonwealth. Above all, she was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the Everest on the mountain range of achievement. Her loyalty, selfless devotion, humility, honour and wisdom are unparalleled, and we will not see the like of them again in our lifetime. On behalf of the Flynn electorate, I offer our respectful condolences to the royal family. Ave atque vale—hail and farewell—to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 to 2022.

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