Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

r DUTTON (—) (): on indulgence—I associate the coalition with the remarks of the Acting Prime Minister. It was one of those moments in history where people will be able to recall to their children and grandchildren where they were when they first learnt of the news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. For many of us, our adult lives have been consumed by stories of the life of a wonderful lady who had given to her country and to the realm as well. The continuation now, the seamless continuation, of one monarch to the next is something that we mark today.

As the Acting Prime Minister points out, the work of King Charles III continues seamlessly from that of his mother, and that is something that is reassuring to us in Australia but also, obviously, to the United Kingdom and other countries in the Commonwealth as well. I appreciate the Acting Prime Minister's own story of his encounter with the King. It reminds me a little of Robert Menzies' recall of his moment with Queen Elizabeth II as well. I never thought I'd hear those words in this parliament, but it was a great story, and I can see and hear the emotion in the Acting Prime Minister's recall of that dalliance. It's a wonderful fact that you're able to recall here to the parliament, Acting Prime Minister.

I think, when you look at the outpouring of grief at the passing 12 months ago of Queen Elizabeth II, it reflects humanity, and it reflects the respect that the world had for a leader who provided support to people in many parts of the world—her discreet interventions, in relation to points in history, in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, for the better. She dedicated her life, as I say, to the betterment of her people, and that is why she was revered and respected, and it's why we have great honour in recognising the first anniversary in this chamber today.

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