Andrew McLachlan (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

It is with great sadness that I join my fellow senators in mourning the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of all South Australians, I thank the Queen for her service to the Crown and for her extraordinary dedication to our nation.

Our late Queen was an example to us all. I honour her life of service. Her reign will serve as a constant reminder to all of us in this place of what it means to serve our communities above self. As we reflect on her life, we should follow her lead and aspire to engage with each other on the issues of the day in a more respectful manner. As a volunteer for St John Ambulance and president of its operations branch in South Australia, I know that every member of St John is greatly saddened by the loss of their sovereign head. The Order of St John is one of the world's longest-established charities and traces its origins back over 900 years. As a commander in the order, I know firsthand the keen interest our late sovereign took in the work of The Order of St John in providing care to those in need. As an Army officer, I have sought to serve her, at home and in the shadow of our enemies in Afghanistan, to the best of my abilities.

The Queen held a deep Christian faith. She was the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, whose faith I practise, and she lived out that faith every day of her life. The life of Jesus Christ was an inspiration and an anchor for our late Queen. It taught her to respect and value all people, whatever their faith. She sought a society where liberty and tolerance were paramount. Like so many others, I drew inspiration from the way she lived her life and her unwavering devotion to her duties, never faltering in her trust in God.

My thoughts and prayers are with our King and the royal family. I extend to them my deepest sympathies for their great loss. Our new King takes up a heavy burden, but I'm in no doubt he will sustain it. On behalf of the people of South Australia, I wish His Majesty a long and happy reign.