Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to add my voice, on behalf of the constituents of Burt, in the south-eastern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia, and as a minister of Her late Majesty's government in Australia, in support of this formal motion of condolence from this House of Representatives on the passing of Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia and her other realms.

Her Majesty's was a reign that became presumptive upon the abdication of her uncle in 1936. The political and royal goings-on of that year led the future queen to receiving expert tutelage in constitutional history from the Vice-Provost at Eton College. This oft-stated fact is underappreciated for the foundations it established for a queen who was to oversee the unwinding of British colonial rule around the world and who, as she spoke of here at the opening of this Parliament House building, acknowledged the precious nature of democracy. These foundations also enabled an approach by Her Majesty to supporting the Australian polity as an independent nation on the world stage, free to choose its own path but, at the same time, always welcomed as a leader in the Empire and then the Commonwealth of Nations. This understanding of the precious nature of democracy no doubt also influenced what we acknowledge as her great life of service through her consistent and energetic support of community groups, local champions, charities, and causes in support of those less well off or afflicted by disaster. For all of this, our nation says thank you.

As Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel, I wish to also acknowledge Her Majesty's service with our armed forces. Not only did she serve during the Second World War in the British Army Auxiliary Territorial Service at the age of 18, training as a mechanic and learning to drive trucks, but she held many esteemed roles with Australian Defence Force organisations, including as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Engineers, the Royal Australian Infantry Corps, the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps and the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps. She was also the Captain-General of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery and the Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force Reserve.

Her Majesty had a very special affection for our Australian defence personnel and veterans. Likewise, our current and ex-serving personnel have always held Her Majesty in the highest esteem, swearing to serve her and resist her enemies. As an example of this special relationship, I'd like to share the experience of Australia's oldest surviving Victoria Cross recipient, whom I had the honour of meeting myself on a recent trip to Darwin: 89-year-old Keith Payne VC. Keith first met the Queen in 1954 on her first tour of Australia. As a young soldier, he was assigned to Her Majesty, opening doors for her and clearing the way for her as she walked. Keith served in Korea in the 1950s. Then he was deployed to Malaysia and Papua New Guinea in the 1960s. In February 1969 he was appointed to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam. Soon after, he and his company were attacked. His heroic actions that day, described as 'exceptional personal bravery', earned him a Victoria Cross. He was the fourth and final Australian to earn such an award in the Vietnam War.

Sixteen years following their first encounter, Keith again met Her Majesty, for the investiture of his Victoria Cross aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. They met on many more occasions, and the Queen came to describe Keith as an 'old friend'. Keith has described Her Majesty as 'not only a Queen but a royal above royals'. I'm so glad that her old friend was able to bid Her Majesty a final farewell well this week, with Keith attending the Queen's funeral in London alongside his son, as did other Victoria and George Cross recipients from the Commonwealth at Her Majesty's request. The Queen holds a special place in the hearts of many Australians and, indeed, people across the world but none so much as those who have served in her name.

My most is sincere condolences to the royal family and in particular, her successor, His Majesty King Charles III, and we wish him every success in his new role as King of Australia. After 70 years of faithful service, 16 tours of Australia and 16 Australian Prime Ministers, may she now rest in eternal peace.

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