James Stevens (Sturt, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on the address to His Majesty King Charles III and pay tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth II, a remarkable sovereign but, first and foremost, a remarkable person, a remarkable human being. She was born in 1926 and, as a young girl, lived in London during the Blitz. My own grandfather, who's still alive, thankfully, also lived in London at that time, and I know, through the experiences he had, how significant that was in shaping her and her dedication to the future roles that she would undertake with such spectacular aplomb as our sovereign for 70 years.

The monarchy has a few compulsory elements and many, albeit expected, voluntary components. Queen Elizabeth II undertook an enormous workload and went far beyond the minimum requirements of the role of sovereign. Apart from opening the parliament and signing various instruments et cetera, which she did with great aplomb and consistency, she was an unbelievable leader, patron and contributor to communities throughout the Commonwealth, both before and during her 70-year reign. In this country, of course, we were particularly lucky to have her visit us on 16 separate occasions, and every time she had such a spectacular impact on so many communities throughout the nation.

We're so lucky to have a system of government with the institution of the monarchy at its pinnacle. We are one of the greatest, proudest and oldest continuing democracies, and it is because we have a constitutional monarchy. Her custodianship of the role of sovereign of the Crown and that institution for 70 years is why we continue to be such a vibrant democracy. The monarchy is at the head of so many elements of our society, government and economy—this parliament of course, the executive, the judiciary, the armed forces and many community organisations, from the Scouts and Girl Guides to the RSL. It is on our currency and, at times, on our postage stamps. We should cherish and fight for the stable system we have under the constitutional monarchy in this country and reflect on where we would be if we didn't have the spectacular, peaceful and tranquil democratic nation we live in and sometimes, perhaps, take for granted. We must always be vigilant and, in remembering Her Majesty, remember that while she was at the head of that institution we have had such an exceptional 70 years as a nation.

In my electorate, as in all electorates, there has been a remarkable outpouring of grief but also a commemoration and, sometimes, a celebration of a remarkable life and a remarkable contribution to this nation. As so many members have reflected, at all of the offices where we've had condolence books we've had people coming in a steady stream not only to leave a message but often to have conversations with members and staff. Sometimes they've spoken about personal experiences they had with the sovereign, but also they've spoken of their love and admiration for Queen Elizabeth II and what she did in that role for so very, very long.

In recent months we heard media reports of times when she could not maintain the pace and the workload that she had until so very recently. It reminds us of what an exceptionally hardworking lady she was into her 96th year. More than 30 years after the retirement age in the United Kingdom, she was still working harder than any of us—because, of course, she took so seriously that vow of serving the Commonwealth for the entirety of her life. She absolutely kept that vow.

Our deepest condolences to His Majesty King Charles III and the royal family, and grateful thanks from me, my electorate and all Australians for the Queen's service to this nation.

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