Andrew Bragg (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make a contribution in this condolence motion. It's hard to imagine that we would be paying tribute to such an extensive public service. We are, as representatives and servants of the people, in the business of public service. It is, as I say, very difficult to imagine anyone else providing that level of high-quality service over such an extended period of time. It is in my view a symbol of democracy and liberal democracy that the Queen exhibited that is the most important reflection. There are many different forms of government that could have been put in place on this continent and in the territories of Australia. I think we are very fortunate to have been able to be the beneficiaries of the British system. Of course it is important to separate the personal from the institution.

There are many people we represent here in this place who are feeling a personal sense of loss because of the death of the monarch, and I understand that. I understand how people feel that way because this is the person who has been selfless. It was never about her; it was always about the service that she was rendering not only to the people she was close to but also the people who lived well beyond her own shores.

As I say, the institution she represented has shown such extraordinary continuity. It is a system which has been the bedrock of our success here in Australia over these past couple of hundred years. I know that many other people want to raise issues at this point in time. This is a condolence motion, and I think people should reflect very carefully on the purpose of this motion. Having said that, there are issues that do need to be discussed at a later stage. But I would say that people would do well to consider carefully that the issues that often cause the most rancour here are issues that have been most heavily impacted or influenced by Australians. We are a sovereign nation. We are a nation which has been in control of its own destiny for many, many years and decades. If people want to talk about policy issues then they ought to raise those issues in connection with the Australians who have put in place those policies.

So, in keeping with this condolence motion, I think it is appropriate that we have paused today to reflect upon a great service by a remarkable person. I know that the people who have sent us here to this place are very grateful not only for the service rendered by this individual but also for the system of government that we enjoy in this remarkable country.