Australian politicians return to parliament to pay tribute to Queen

Australian politicians have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after returning to Parliament from a break to observe her passing.

An obscure and long-standing agreement in Australia barred parliament from sitting for 15 days following the death of the British monarch.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has decided to abide by the agreement. Mr Albanese has previously said he wanted the Australian president to replace the British monarch as head of state, although he avoided getting involved in the republic debate during the period of mourning.

Every chamber of Australia’s parliament – the Senate and the House of Representatives – passed a motion of condolence for the late monarch on Friday and congratulated King Charles III on his accession.

Mr Albanese said it was difficult to comprehend the Queen’s seven years on the throne and it was now just a memory.

“In a rapidly changing environment, she is a rare and reassuring constant,” Mr Albanese said.

Queen Elizabeth visited Australia 16 times during her reign.

“She knows us, appreciates us, hugs us, and it feels very mutual,” Mr. Albanese said.

The Prime Minister offered his condolences to King Charles.

“We think of King Charles, who felt this weight of grief while bearing the weight of the crown,” Mr Albanese said. “We wish his Majesty all the best as he ascends the throne.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Australians had drawn on the wisdom of the Queen’s words and the comfort of her voice.

“She admires this quality of Australia in honouring people who are running essential businesses without fuss or media attention,” Mr Dutton said.

“Of course, wherever the Queen went, the crowds in the streets filled with cheers, clapping and flags in their adoration.”

Australian Greens minor leader Adam Bant offered his condolences but reiterated his support for Australia becoming a republic.

“The passing of the Queen means that we have a new head of state and no say in the matter. This is definitely the right time to talk respectfully about whether this is right for our country,” he said.

“We can express our condolences to those who grieve for her personally, while also talking respectfully about what this means for us as a nation.”

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young offered condolences but also spoke of the need for reconciliation with Indigenous Australia.

“She didn’t take the child away from her parents and she didn’t personally try to remove and destroy one of the oldest cultures in the world,” Ms Hanson-Young told the Senate.

“(But) she is the government representative for the agency. The generations of oppression, trauma and suffering caused by colonization must be taken into account.”

British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell heard tributes in Parliament.