Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (NT, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of Territorians, I rise to pay my respects to a remarkable elder, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and offer my condolences to the royal family. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II touched the lives of so many wherever she went. Many respected and admired her as they would a mother or a grandmother. I held great admiration for her as a woman who at just 25 loyally bestowed upon the Commonwealth her life in service. I can only imagine but never truly comprehend such immeasurable responsibility at such a young age.

Growing up in Australia, it has always been my experience and deeply held belief that we are a lucky nation. We have the freedom to become who we want to become because the opportunities exist for us to make this happen. I have witnessed at many citizenship ceremonies the gratitude and love for our nation from our newest citizens. They made Australia their home, the place to raise their families and the land to make their dreams become reality. The way they feel about our great land is the same way I feel.

We would not be the nation we are today if it were not for the support, devotedness and guidance of the monarchy during Queen Elizabeth's reign. The Westminster system bequeathed to us has served Australia well. While we are still young nation, having first been federated in 1901 but acquainted with British settlers in 1788, we have been building together for 250 years. Yes, like every nation around the globe, our history features dark and shameful incidents. We must never shy away from acknowledging these, as they are part of our identity. Equally, we must also recognise the good our nation has experienced and grown from. There is much to celebrate from our worthy efforts to strive to better the lives of all Australians. History cannot be undone, and the inevitable inquiring explorations of mankind have meant all corners of the earth have been settled. This landmass we call home was never going to be left untouched by anyone other than our First Peoples. We can be grateful that it was in fact the British who settled here before the many other possible colonists.

Queen Elizabeth II held the highest position of head of state. There is no higher. She inherited the responsibility of our nation. She was not born to take the throne, yet became the Commonwealth's longest serving monarch. As we know, she served us with grace, fairness and thoughtfulness. During her reign, the Queen had a longstanding connection to the Northern Territory and central Australia, which she referred to as the living heart of the nation. This connection was strengthened by her relationship with our renowned Western Arrernte landscape artist Albert Namatjira. It was during her coronation tour of 1954 that Her Majesty first met Namatjira when he travelled to Canberra to greet and present her with his artwork. Just the year before, he had been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal in honour of his remarkable art. Queen Elizabeth had become a Namatjira enthusiast and, since first being presented with his artwork, built a collection now belonging to the royal family. It has been said that it was this special relationship between Albert and Queen Elizabeth that not only led to his granting of citizenship but paved the way for citizenship to eventually be granted to all Aboriginal Australians. Namatjira was a man before his time as Queen Elizabeth was a woman before hers. To me, they represented an endearing example of the coming together of two very different worlds—a moment in our nation's history to hold on to.

Though, sadly, Australia lost a venerated national icon before his time, Namatjira's connection with the Queen and the royal family continued through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 2013, 60 years after Albert and the Queen's first meeting, his grandchildren, Lenie and Kevin Namatjira, were delighted to have a private audience with Her Majesty. At the time, Lenie said: 'I'm happy to see Her Majesty the Queen. I've come a long way, all the way from Australia, to meet her and represent my family and our community.' In Kevin Namatjira's words: 'I'm a little bit nervous, but I am proud. I'm going to give Her Majesty a painting, like my grandfather did.'

More recently, the Queen has been depicted by Albert's great-grandson and Archibald Prize winner Vincent Namatjira many times. He was shocked to learn of her passing. When asked if he would continue painting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, his response was: 'I might retire from painting the Queen. Let her rest in peace, the poor thing. But I will definitely be busy painting King Charles.'

Thank you to our Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. As Vincent said, may you rest in peace. Long live the King.