Jim Molan (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II earned the admiration of generations through a life committed to selfless public service that stretched across the better part of a century.

For 70 years, she reigned as Australia's Head of State, and for other nations of the Commonwealth spread across the world's continents and oceans.

She was a monarch who ruled with an empathetic heart and wisdom. And though the world changed around her, she remained steadfast in her devotion to God, her country, and to the Commonwealth.

As the Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, said, she embodied humanity's very best virtues and values; service and sacrifice, fortitude and humility, grace and generosity, forgiveness and empathy.

In my lifetime, I swore two oaths to serve Her Majesty.

The first, as a teenage officer cadet entering the Australian Defence Force, where I swore to resist Her enemies, and faithfully discharge my duties according to law.

Later in life, I again committed to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, this time as a member of Her Australian Parliament.

Throughout, for an exemplar of steadfast duty, courage, dignity and selflessness, I have needed to look no further than Her Majesty.

From the young age of 21, the then-Princess dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth, declaring that her "whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong".

And just a few years later, upon her coronation in 1952, the Queen reaffirmed her unwavering dedication to the Commonwealth, when she said, "l 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.

It was no secret she had a deep and abiding affection for Australia, visiting our country 16 times during her reign, and even sending her eldest son to school here.

She paid visit to every state and territory, helped open our Parliament House and the Sydney Opera House, and attended the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and Melbourne.

You could say she saw more of this country than most Australians.

Wherever she went, crowds choked the streets, cheering, clapping, waving their flags to express their adoration.

And many Australians, young or old, will have their own story about Her Majesty.

Yet for those that never had the privilege of meeting the Queen, she was still familiar to us all.

And that is a real testament to the way in which she was able to connect even with the current generation; and her ability to transform herself during her reign and make the monarch relevant to each new generation.

Her passing is the end of an era and carries special poignancy for those who served in uniform under the Sovereign's colours.

She represented the greatest values of our country and Commonwealth, and all that we sought to defend.

I join with all Australians in giving thanks for a life well lived and a duty extraordinarily well done.

It has been my life's honour to serve our greatest modern Monarch.

May our memories of our dear Queen continue to inspire the very best in us. And may she rest in peace.