Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise to add my remarks to reflect, to give thanks for a life of service, and to extend my condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and all those who mourn her. Her Majesty, as has been well documented, has been a constant figure in the lives of over 90 per cent of the world's population, with particular pertinence to the nations of the Commonwealth. Her passing has given us all pause to reflect on the events of the period of her reign—the Elizabethan era—her influence on those events and our own personal interactions with her, as significant or as insignificant as they may be.

My first interaction was to be one of those less significant. I was to be part of a display of children at the North Hobart Oval in 1970. Unfortunately, it rained. The event was called off and others got to wave their flags at her as she continued her tour around Hobart. Any close contact with Her Majesty was delayed for another 36 years, when I had the opportunity to be part of a state dinner here in this place, to meet Her Majesty and to be part of a photograph that was taken in the marble foyer with then Prime Minister John Howard and his ministry—a moment to reflect on and to savour.

Tasmania hosted Her Majesty on seven occasions: in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1971, 1981, 1988 and 2000. And, as has been reflected upon by some of my Tasmanian colleagues, she declared Burnie, on the north-west coast, a city during her visit in 1988. As was noted, Burnie was very keen for that to occur, with Devonport, its rival city on the north-west coast of Tasmania, having been declared a city by the now King Charles III in 1981. It is also worth noting that during her stay in Midlands at the Midlands grazing property Connorville during her 1954 visit, which was mentioned by Senator Askew a short time ago, a special room was built to house the cabling back to Buckingham Palace and to house the wireless operators. Her Majesty was connected well before it became such an indispensable part of all of our lives.

It is interesting to reflect on how some see her place as one of hierarchy, yet she saw her place as one of service. Her enrolment in the defence force during World War II is a clear reflection of that. Perhaps that's why she is so widely respected and why we have seen the most extraordinary public display of mourning over the past two weeks—the likes of which we are unlikely to see again. Those two weeks show us, as will, I am sure, the weeks and months to come, how Her Majesty, even after her passing, was demonstrating her pledge to duty. Knowing her intimate involvement in the planning of her funeral, we see the clear demonstration of her understanding of the importance of traditions and ceremony in our lives and all our cultures—in how we tell our stories and in how we celebrate and sustain our cultures, regardless of where they derive from. Her Majesty understood that, and it was on display right up until the moment her casket descended into the crypt of St George's Chapel. She gave even past the end.

While some might reflect on what they perceive she took, it is clear that, on the balance of all things, she gave so much more. Her Majesty said in 1974:

Perhaps we make too much of what is wrong and too little of what is right. The trouble with gloom is that it feeds upon itself and depression causes more depression.

It is a pertinent quote, I think, in our current times.

Her Majesty clearly understood the frailty of both peace and democracy. Although it may have slipped under the radar a little, the day after her death was in fact the International Day of Democracy—further pause for reflection on the contribution that Queen Elizabeth and the monarchy have made to democracy and to our system of government, the Westminster system, which, despite its flaws, is clearly the best there is and gives us all of the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country today. The lessons of the last two weeks should not be forgotten as we contemplate the future of our democracy, including the seamless transition to King Charles III, who, during the 10 days of those events, took on that mantle of service which saw him and his family mourning in the full public eye.

I had the opportunity to attend a gathering of young Tasmanians during his tour of Tasmania in the 1970s. It was a reception for young Tasmanians with the opportunity to meet then Prince of Wales. Despite my steely blue eyes, snappy three-piece suit and luxuriant mullet, the good burghers of Hobart decided that there was a much more attractive person in the room who should meet the then single Prince Charles, so the crowd was duly parted to give effect to that meeting, and not for me.

To King Charles and his family, and all those who hold Her Majesty so dear, I offer my sincerest condolences. To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: thank you, Ma'am, for your service. May you rest in peace.