“This is a tremendously sad day for the world.

Prime Minister Liz Truss was absolutely correct when she said the Queen was the rock on which modern Britain was built.

A long life devoted to duty that has touched the lives of millions, especially here in Australia.

For me the Queen’s reign is bookended by two defining images: that of a young woman who never expected to be monarch so soon, willingly taking on a lifetime of duty and service – and the grieving head of state, sitting stoically alone during COVID, at the funeral for Prince Philip.

Her commitment to duty never faltered.

I met the Queen with my daughter at a reception held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in 2011 during Julia Gillard’s prime ministership.

Our first female prime minister, the longest serving British monarch and many young Australians for whom the institution of the monarchy must have seemed remote, all celebrated, with real affection what Queen Elizabeth II represented to the Commonwealth and the world.

We have lost one of the most substantial world figures of our time.

Thank you, Your Majesty, for everything.”