Royal Visit

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-146842

Hansard session: Fifty-Eighth Parliament, First Session (58-1)

Royal Visit

Ms ANNA WATSON (Shellharbour) (16:59:37):

I move:

That this House welcomes His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla to New South Wales.

Last Friday the Government was delighted to welcome His Majesty King Charles III to Sydney for his first visit to Australia as sovereign, alongside Her Majesty Queen Camilla. The wonderful Sydney Opera House shells were lit up in celebration to welcome the royals to our beautiful harbour city. On Sunday the Parliament of New South Wales welcomed the King to celebrate the bicentenary of the Legislative Council, which first met in August 1924. The King's gift, an hourglass that he described as a speech timer, reminds us that we must use our time in this Parliament wisely, so I will endeavour to keep this speech within the limits of this House's hourglass equivalent, which is the electronic clock on the wall.

While the weather last weekend was not fantastic by our standards, Sydney has put on some wonderful weather today. The amazing harbour is sparkling under blue skies for this afternoon's visit. I am hopeful that it stays like this for the remainder of the royal visit. Australia has shaped the King's life and world view more than that of any other monarch. The King has now visited Australia 17 times, including 15 official visits as the Prince of Wales. The King's love of Australia started in the 1960s, when he was an exchange student at Geelong Grammar School's Timbertop Campus in the Victorian Alps. From Bondi to Siding Springs, Parkes to Maitland, Holbrook to the Riverina, the King has met with and been impressed by New South Wales citizens.

In 2013 the King set up the Prince's Trust Australia, now the King's Trust, to help young people, support veterans and promote sustainable design. The trust is just one of the magnificent contributions the King has made to the people of Australia. The King's commitment to sustainability and ecology is to be commended. It provides a welcome focus for his leadership as nations around the world race to decarbonise their economies and address climate change. Royal visits are a unique opportunity to showcase the people and places that make our State such a great place to live and to visit. Our State's many attractions have been highlighted to the world during this visit. Importantly, the visit has allowed us to host the most Aussie event of all, the barbeque. Earlier today, the Government hosted Their Majesties at a community barbeque in Parramatta Park on Darug country. From the "democracy sausage" to a barbeque fit for a king, this State can do it all. The event showcased our State's rich culinary and cultural diversity.

Their Majesties met with the great community leaders and organisations that make this region such a fantastic place to live, work and do business. Among those who met with the King today was Inspector Amy Scott, who showed incredible bravery during the tragic events at Bondi Westfield earlier this year. Amy's brave actions that day undoubtedly saved many innocent lives. I thank her for her service. Parramatta has played a critical role in our nation's development of agriculture. It was, therefore, fitting that our State's primary producers were invited to showcase some of their world-beating produce. The King also met Australian of the Year Award recipients Professor Georgina Long, AO, and Professor Richard Scolyer, AO, to learn about their groundbreaking melanoma research.

One of the drawbacks of the sunny weather in Australia is the damage that the Aussie sun can do to those of us with skin more suitable to the King's homeland. It is therefore wonderful to have such research being undertaken by these amazing Australians. Together, Georgina and Richard have developed a series of world-first treatments based on melanoma breakthroughs. Their important research embodies our State's history of innovation and resilience. Richard met the King as a medical pioneer and fellow cancer patient, having been diagnosed with brain cancer last year. We wish Richard the best and hope for his recovery. During the visit, the King also toured the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern and the Homes NSW Cowper Street project, a shining example of sustainable housing.

Queen Camilla met with some of the dedicated team from OzHarvest, before meeting authors and children at Green Square Library. This afternoon Their Majesties will conclude their visit, meeting with the public on the Sydney Opera House forecourt. The King and Queen's visit to our State puts them in good company, as 330,000 Brits visited New South Wales in the year to the end of June. More than a third of the Australian population trace their ancestry back to the United Kingdom and more than a million British-born people call Australia home. The longstanding friendship between Australia and the United Kingdom is underpinned by our shared heritage, common values, strategic interests, and substantial trade and investment activities. Indeed, the United Kingdom is one of New South Wales' most valuable trading partners. In 2023 the United Kingdom was Australia's second largest source of foreign investment and fourth largest services export market.

The New South Wales Government is always looking at new opportunities to deepen our special relationship, including through trade, tourism and education. Once again, we welcome His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla to New South Wales. We hope they have a very enjoyable time visiting New South Wales.

Mr ADAM CROUCH (Terrigal) (17:06:28):

Firstly, I acknowledge my parliamentary colleague the member for Shellharbour, who is an avid monarchist. I thank her for bringing this public interest debate motion to Australia's oldest Parliament. On behalf of the Opposition, I welcome His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla. Their visit to New South Wales has been an unrivalled success. There has been an outpouring of appreciation and love for the monarchy in Australia and New South Wales during the King and Queen's visit. We must remember that the King is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. It is a big trip across the world, especially while undergoing treatment. It goes to show the King's passion and love for this country that he has undertaken this trip while undergoing that treatment. The people of Australia appreciate the incredible contribution that His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have made during their visit to Australia and Sydney this year.

As outlined by the member for Shellharbour, the king is no stranger to this country. His first visit dates back to 1966, when he was an exchange student at Geelong Grammar School at Timbertop. The King made many visits as the Prince of Wales, acting as the Queen's representative in Australia, which is arguably the best example of a constitutional monarchy working well. In 1967 he made his first official visit, when he represented the late Queen Elizabeth II at the memorial service for the great Prime Minister Harold Holt. In 1970 he visited Cottesloe Beach in Western Australia. Of course, we all remember the iconic photograph of the young lady in a bikini bounding out of the waves to embrace the Prince of Wales. That image was broadcast all over the world. It is a very famous and iconic photo. It was 1970. I had not been born at that point. It goes to show the love this country has for the monarchy and our history and background.

The member for Shellharbour and I have had the privilege of travelling to Westminster to see how our parliamentary system has evolved from 1,000 years of political history in the United Kingdom. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that we have taken the best parts from that system and transplanted them in New South Wales. In 1974 the Prince of Wales returned for the official opening of the Anglo‑Australian Telescope. Then in 1977 he was in Australia as part of the Silver Jubilee for the Queen's reign. In 1978 he attended the funeral of the late former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies. In 1979 he had a one‑day stay at a Western Australian sheep station, which I am sure he found very enlightening.

In 1981 he visited Canberra, and then in 1983 he toured with the late Princess Diana and the newly born Prince William. There was a massive outpouring of affection for the next generation of constitutional monarchy here in Australia. In 1985 he visited Victoria for the State's 150th anniversary. In 1988 he visited with Queen Elizabeth II as part of the bicentenary celebrations. During a speech here in Sydney in 1994 we saw the infamous "fake" assassination attempt occur. In 2005 he made a special visit to Sydney's Breakfast Point and the Rose Group development as patron of the International Network for Traditional Building Architecture and Urbanism, which is obviously very close to His Majesty's heart. In 2012 he returned with the then Duchess of Cornwall to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. In 2015 the Prince and Duchess visited Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Albany and Perth, before returning in 2018 to open the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have made multiple visits to this country. On Sunday morning it was wonderful to again see the outpouring of affection for His Majesty before he made his visit to Parliament House. As a monarchist who comes into this Chamber every morning, it was a pleasure to meet and welcome His Majesty on Sunday. All members who attended were very impressed by the speech he gave acknowledging the 200th anniversary of the Legislative Council. He also presented a lovely hourglass to the Council, which will hopefully keep its members' speeches shorter. This debate is all about our appreciation of the monarchy. God save the King.

Ms MARYANNE STUART (Heathcote) (17:11:36):

I support the good member for Shellharbour and her public interest debate motion about the royal visit. Whether a monarchist or republican, it is respectful to acknowledge the position and the person. His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla arrived here last Friday to the sight of the Sydney Opera House lit up in celebration to welcome them to our beautiful harbour city. Their Majesties' visit puts them in good company. Some 330,000 Brits visited New South Wales in the year ending in June. More than one‑third of the Australian population traces its ancestry back to the United Kingdom. Over a million British‑born people call Australia home, including my mother‑in‑law. Our countries have a shared heritage, common values, people‑to‑people links, strategic interests, and substantial trade and investment activities. The UK is one of the State's most valuable trading partners. In 2023 it was Australia's second largest source of foreign investment and fourth largest services export market.

Of course the King is no stranger to Australia, having now visited 17 times, 15 of those on official visits as the Prince of Wales. In the early 1960s the King was an exchange student at Geelong Grammar's Timbertop campus in the Victorian Alps, which he claims was the best part of his education. In 2013 he set up the Prince's Trust Australia—now the King's Trust Australia—to help young people, support veterans and promote sustainable design. It is here that I acknowledge the King's commitment to sustainability and ecology. That work provides a welcome focus to his leadership. As nations from around the world race to decarbonise their economies and address climate change, His Majesty has the power and position to influence.

Today we hosted Their Majesties at a community barbecue at Parramatta Park, on Dharug country. Parramatta has played a significant role in our nation's development of agriculture. Among those in attendance was Inspector Amy Scott, who showed incredible bravery during the tragic events at Westfield Bondi Junction earlier this year. It is important to acknowledge Amy's actions that day, which undoubtedly saved many innocent lives. Their Majesties met with great community leaders and organisations, and we showcased the State's rich culinary and cultural diversity that make this region such a dynamic place to live.

The King met Australian of the Year award recipients Professor Georgina Long, AO, and Professor Richard Scolyer, AO, to learn about their groundbreaking melanoma research. Richard was diagnosed with incurable grade 4 brain cancer last year. Together with Georgina, he developed a series of world‑first treatments based on melanoma breakthroughs. He met the King as a fellow cancer patient but also as a medical pioneer who embodied our State's history of innovation and resilience. We continue to wish him well and hope for his recovery. The King also stopped by the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, where he was welcomed to Gadigal land, greeted by traditional dancers and had a private meeting with key Indigenous Elders. Queen Camilla met with some of the dedicated team from OzHarvest, before meeting authors and children at Green Square Library. Our people really are our greatest asset in New South Wales.

This afternoon Their Majesties conclude their visit, meeting with the public at the Sydney Opera House forecourt. Just down the road from this Parliament thousands of excited royal fans are eager for a chance to see King Charles and Queen Camilla. We wish His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen the very best on their visit, and safe travels. For the good of citizens of both our nations, we are always looking at new opportunities to deepen this relationship, from trade to tourism and education opportunities. We look forward to the connection between New South Wales and Britain deepening during His Majesty's reign.

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (17:16:14):

I support the motion of the member for Shellharbour welcoming His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla to New South Wales. This visit signifies more than just a royal tour. It represents the continued connection and relationship between His Majesty and the people of New South Wales and Australia. It also serves as an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, our evolving national identity and the importance of the constitutional monarchy in making Australia the place it is today. His Majesty has always had a strong connection to New South Wales, following in the footsteps of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. My community in the St George region was fortunate enough to have been visited Her Late Majesty on multiple occasions. In 1954, only one year after her coronation, she attended my community and even toured through St George Hospital at the time. This was followed by a visit by Her Late Majesty in 1970 to celebrate the bicentenary of Captain Cook's landing in Australia.

I had the privilege of meeting the King during his visit to the New South Wales Parliament on Sunday. As he was leaving, I personally extended an invitation back to the St George area for a barbecue on his next tour to Australia. A barbecue in one of our beautiful local parks is not only a celebration of our way of life but a reflection of the community spirit that thrives in St George. The St George area is home to many wonderful cultural groups that contribute to the unique and inclusive character of our local community. Our strong multicultural heritage is a source of great pride for the region, which I know is something our community would look forward to highlighting for His Majesty in the future. This spirit of inclusiveness and diversity is at the heart of what makes New South Wales such a special place.

Noting His Majesty's longstanding advocacy for environmental preservation and green spaces, I also mentioned to him the many wonderful parks and open spaces in my electorate such as Oatley Park, Gannons Park and, of course, Carss Park. Oatley Park is rich in history and still exists today due to the fierce advocacy of local community groups and individuals, which mirrors His Majesty's passion for preserving such spaces. This invitation was not simply a formality but a heartfelt gesture of community pride, showcasing the very best of what it means to be an Australian.

I also mentioned that I would in fact drive him around on his next visit, and we both laughed. The St George region would truly be honoured to showcase our local community's beautiful parks and open spaces and, if time permits, even facilitate a visit and walk through St George Hospital to see firsthand the first-class health care, the wonderful medical staff and the upgrades that are being delivered, just like Her Majesty did before him. A barbecue in one of our beautiful local parks would be not only a celebration of our way of life but a reflection of the community spirit that thrives in the St George area. On this tour, however, the King was fortunate enough to visit Parramatta today for a community barbecue. Parramatta and Western Sydney are also fantastic locations to showcase our rich multicultural society to Their Majesties.

As we welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, their tour is a reminder to recognise the success of Australia—from our rich multicultural society to our health facilities, arts, culture and sports. It also reminds us that, even as we evolve as a society, some traditions, such as the connection to the Crown, continue to adapt and remain relevant to the values we hold dear. In fact, my son James and his fellow students from Mortdale Public School were in Parliament House in Canberra yesterday, and my son, along with his class, made the news as His Majesty visited. I again extend my warmest welcome to His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla and recognise the opportunity that their visit has provided to showcase the values that make New South Wales and Australia such an extraordinary place to live.

Ms LIZA BUTLER (South Coast) (17:21:02):

I thank the member for Shellharbour for bringing the motion to the House. I know that all members were extremely keen to contribute to the debate, so it is an honour to be one of the lucky few to do so. Last Friday, New South Wales had the distinct honour of welcoming His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen to Sydney for His Majesty's first visit to Australia as sovereign. The iconic Sydney Opera House shells were beautifully illuminated in celebration, lighting up our harbour city in a grand gesture of welcome. It was a momentous occasion for all of us. The visit, however, is far more than a ceremonial occasion. Australia has shaped the King's life in ways that are truly unique.

In the early 1960s His Majesty spent time as a young exchange student at the Geelong Grammar Timbertop campus in the Victorian alps. Since then, as the member for Shellharbour stated, the King has returned to Australia 17 times, with 15 of those visits made as the Prince of Wales. His Majesty has seen much of New South Wales over the years. I remember well His Majesty's visit to Wollongong in the 1980s. Since then, His Majesty has crossed the vast landscape of our nation, connecting with Australians from all walks of life. The King's connection to Australia is evident in the establishment of the Prince's Trust Australia, now named the King's Trust, which was formed in 2013. Through the initiative, His Majesty has made lasting contributions by helping young people, supporting veterans and promoting sustainable design. His Majesty's leadership in sustainability and ecology showed foresight, and his dedication continues to provide a welcome focus as the world collectively tackles the challenges of climate change.

Earlier today, Their Majesties were welcomed to Parramatta Park on Dharug country for a community barbecue, a true Aussie tradition that allowed our State to showcase not only our world-class food but also our rich cultural diversity. Their Majesties had the opportunity to meet community leaders and organisations that make Parramatta such a vibrant place to live. Parramatta has also played a crucial role in our State's agricultural history, so it was fitting that today some of our State's primary producers showcased their world-beating produce. That included Nowra beef farmer John Bennett, who said that escorting King Charles around the State's top agricultural stallholders today was an occasion he will never forget. The event was a testament to the quality and innovation of our regional farmers and producers.

His Majesty also met with Australian of the Year recipients Professor Georgina Long, AO, and Professor Richard Scolyer, AO. Their groundbreaking melanoma research is leading the world, and Richard's own diagnosis last year has only underscored his resilience and dedication. My dear friend Michelle Miran from the South Coast is currently receiving treatment under the guidance of Professor Long and her amazing team, and it is wonderful that the King was able to meet both Professor Long and Professor Scolyer. Professor Scolyer's meeting with the King was not just a moment of shared experience for them as fellow cancer patients but a reflection of our State's capacity for innovation and compassion.

His Majesty and Her Majesty's visit is another reminder of the deep enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and New South Wales. Over 330,000 Brits visited New South Wales last year, and more than a third of Australians trace their ancestry back to the United Kingdom. With over a million British-born people now calling Australia home, our bond is as strong as ever. That relationship extends far beyond shared heritage; it is built on common values, strategic interests and robust trade and investment links. In 2023 the United Kingdom was Australia's second largest source of foreign investment and fourth largest services export market. Our partnership is vital, and we continue to explore new opportunities for growth in trade, tourism and education. As the King and Queen conclude their visit, we wish them all the best. Their time in our State has deepened the bonds between New South Wales and the United Kingdom. We look forward to continuing that special relationship under His Majesty's reign, a relationship that benefits our citizens, enriches our cultures and strengthens our shared future.

Mrs WENDY TUCKERMAN (Goulburn) (17:25:43):

I contribute to the public interest debate and thank the member for Shellharbour for bringing the motion. This royal visit is significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it marks the first global tour by the new sovereign. This is King Charles's first visit to Australia since his accession to the throne in September 2022. The King's Trust Australia is a national charity that supports disadvantaged young people and military veterans as well as champions sustainable communities. His Majesty King Charles III is the founder of the King's Trust Australia.

The King's Trust Australia has established a new charity, the King's Foundation Australia, dedicated to protecting, conserving and regenerating Australia's built heritage; delivering education and training programs for young people; promoting sustainable urbanism; and delivering related built projects. The King's Trust Australia has done significant work to date under the name of the Prince's Trust, including creating dedicated places to provide young people, communities and veterans with the opportunity to develop new skills and succeed in life and providing social housing in Glebe in conjunction with the New South Wales Government.

Today His Majesty unveiled plans for a new charity called the King's Foundation Australia at a special reception at Admiralty House in Sydney. I was privileged to attend and meet His Majesty. The charity's first project will be as the custodian of the Hillview Estate in Sutton Forest within my electorate, working to restore the historic property and its surrounding land. The State Heritage listed former summer residence of the Governor of New South Wales will serve as the permanent base of the King's Foundation Australia and be developed as a landmark cultural hub.

Inspiration has been taken from the regeneration of Dumfries House, an eighteenth-century mansion in Scotland, which now acts as the King's Foundation headquarters after it was saved for the nation in 2007 by a consortium led by Charles as the Prince of Wales. The King set up his original foundation, previously called the Prince's Foundation, to train the next generation of skilled craftspeople in heritage techniques essential to many traditional industries, including in building, carpentry, fashion and textiles. Practical education and training programs in traditional and heritage craft will also be developed at Hillview.

Kristina Murrin, the Australian-born chief executive of the King's Foundation, said the new foundation was a sign of Charles's affection for Australia. Ms Murrin said that establishing a permanent presence for the King's Foundation in Australia is testament to His Majesty's affection for Australia and commitment to extending the reach of the work on sustainable communities undertaken by the King's Foundation elsewhere in the world. Dumfries House has been transformative for the local community and has pioneered nature-based learning for young people and adults alike and placed traditional skills at the heart of practical education courses across the estate. It is an exciting prospect to have the opportunity to apply to Hillview Estate what was learnt when Dumfries House was saved for the British nation.

The foundation said the charity has signed a long-term lease and the Hillview property remains in the ownership of the New South Wales Government. The 1870s-built residence on the old Illawarra Highway at Sutton Forest was previously known as Prospect. It is referred to as the most exclusive highland estate and was a vice-regal summer retreat for 16 consecutive New South Wales Governors between 1882 and 1957, offering them a place to escape the Sydney summer.

The New South Wales Government's heritage register listed the house, which had 38 habitable rooms, including 27 bedrooms, and its 60-hectare estate as of exceptional significance to the people of New South Wales as the former country home of the Governor of New South Wales for 75 years. The parallels to Dumfries House are similar. I am very much looking forward to working with the new King's Foundation Australia in returning Hillview to its former glory for the benefit of the people of New South Wales.

Mr DAVID MEHAN (The Entrance) (17:30:19):

By leave: It gives me great pleasure to support this motion, which welcomes His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla to New South Wales. It is great that the sovereign is here when we are celebrating the bicentenary of the commencement of self‑government in New South Wales, which took place next to this Chamber in the Wentworth Room in 1824. It an appropriate and important coincidence that the visit is occurring at the same time. I also note that for many people in my community and in this State, the sovereign represents the intrusion of the British Empire and a negative experience for the Indigenous people of this land.

I did not receive an invite to meet the King. I did not seek one. I am happy to tell the House that. I met the Prince in 1989 when I was a young subaltern in the Royal New South Wales Regiment. I was given the opportunity to go to the United Kingdom to celebrate the 300-year tercentenary of the Royal Welsh regiment, of which the then Prince of Wales was honorary colonel. At the end of the celebrations, a bunch of soldiers from the Royal Welsh regiment were lined up and given the opportunity to meet the Prince, their honorary colonel. I decided to stand at the end of the line. Again, I was not invited, but to the good credit of the regiment and the Prince, my intrusion was accepted in good faith and in good humour. I will remember that moment fondly.

It is appropriate to note as a member of the Labor Party that the sovereign's representative in this country has dismissed two Labor leaders in this country's short history: Jack Lang in 1932 and more recently Gough Whitlam on 11 November 1975. Those events weigh heavily on members on this side of the House. I have no hesitation in saying that those in my party view that intrusion by the sovereign into our parliamentary democracy as unwelcome and inappropriate.

The Palace Letters: The Queen, the Governor-general, and the Plot to Dismiss Gough Whitlam

I give a shout-out to Professor Jenny Hocking for the work she has done over many years, which is documented in the book . She showed that the Queen, Prince Charles and Martin Charteris, who was the Queen's private secretary, were all aware by September 1975 that John Kerr, the Governor-General—the Queen's representative in this country—was considering dismissing the Government and knew of his failure to warn Whitlam of that possibility. Given the fondness I know the King holds for Australia through his dealings with the people of this country, this visit provides an opportunity for the sovereign to make very clear that it would be inappropriate in the future for the sovereign's representative in this country to ever again use what are called the reserve powers to dismiss a democratically elected government in this State. On that note, I again welcome the King and Queen to our country. I support the motion.

Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS (Lane Cove) (17:34:12):

By leave: It gives me great pleasure to support the motion moved for this public interest debate to honour the tour of our King, Charles III, and his gracious consort, Queen Camilla, in Australia. I feel a personal connection, as I remember fondly, on the occasion of their last tour of Australia, that my wife and I were present with other dignitaries to welcome them on their arrival.

Mr Ron Hoenig:

God save the King!

Mr ANTHONY ROBERTS:

God save the King! Alicia had our son Tom, who was just six days old, in her arms. He was not exactly the normal participant in an official line-up on the tarmac, but the royal couple were their usual understanding selves. It is a memory I shall never forget. Alicia and I had the honour to meet His Majesty again this past Sunday in this building, when the King presented the Legislative Council with a gift to signify its bicentenary.

It is amazing that His Majesty, as Prince of Wales, was present when Parliament celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Legislative Council and that he is once more here as King to help Parliament celebrate the bicentenary of the other place. It is certainly safe to say that he was the only person in the building who had been an important part of official celebrations then, and he was once again an important part of our Parliament's milestones. The King is literally a living, organic link to Parliament's history, and that of our nation's. As someone who respects the historical institution and unitary value of family, I believe this organic link is one of the many strengths of the system of constitutional monarchy. This is a link of family, not just the personages of the royal family but of the shared institution of the Crown that binds us to New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom, amongst others. We are nations that all enjoy the rule of law and order and the strength of democratic institutions, and are amongst the most diverse yet stable societies on our planet. At the governmental centre of those nations stands the Crown, which is served by the royal family, who in turn serve its people. This is a timeless balance of tradition and stability with freedom and progress.

The Daily Telegraph

The dignity of the office of sovereign, of someone who is above politics but immured in duty, is not lost on Australians. We have seen, with that familial identity I spoke of before, the goodwill and respect shown by nearly all during this tour. Political figures on such tours mostly come together to show their statesmanship and the level of national dignity that exists above politics. During the royal tour of the late Queen Elizabeth II back in 2000—when I worked for the Hon. John Howard, no less—the media picked up on this phenomenon. If my memory serves me, writing in , journalist and strident republican Mark Day, far from wanting the monarchy gone, lamented that there were not more royal tours, as the sovereign had a calming and powerful effect upon Australian political life. Would that office have that effect if we had some dreary bureaucrat in the role or a Labor or Liberal president? I doubt it, as I think many also do.

It behoves the House to remember that those who fought and won the referendum in 1999 were a mixture of monarchists and constitutionalists, the latter being those who simply thought the Constitution works well and should not be altered due to political or ideological whim. We know, due to recent example, that this is a view that many Australians still strongly support. Yesterday His Majesty spoke of his sadness—and, undoubtedly, the Queen's also—about such a short visit to Australia. I echo that sentiment, as it would have been lovely if people and communities beyond Sydney and Canberra could, if only for a short time, have had some rest from politics and their cares and a helpful reminder that in these difficult times, at home and abroad, there are international institutions that serve them so well. At Their Majesties' coronation, the King declared, paraphrasing from Matthew 20:28, "I come not to be served, but to serve." I hope that, as the tour concludes, many of my fellow Australians will see how lucky we are to have such servants as the King and the Queen. God save the King!

Ms ANNA WATSON (Shellharbour) (17:38:10):

In reply: I thank members representing the electorates of Terrigal, Heathcote, Oatley, South Coast, Goulburn, The Entrance and Lane Cove. Whilst I may be a staunch republican, on behalf of the New South Wales Government I know I speak for every member of this place and of the other place when I wish His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen the very best on their visit. We look forward to the relationship between New South Wales and the United Kingdom deepening during his reign, for the good of all citizens of Australia and the United Kingdom.

The contribution from the member for Heathcote was one of respect for the position of the King, regardless of his views on the long-running debate about whether Australia should be a republic.

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