Anthony Albanese asks all Australians to observe a minute’s silence for Queen on public holiday

Elizabeth II ‘had a deep affection with Australia and Australians have remembered her fondly since her passing’, the prime minister says

Australians will be asked to observe a minute’s silence at 11am on Thursday to reflect on Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service.

The quiet reflection will start the national memorial service to be held in Canberra on Thursday – which has been declared a public holiday and a national day of mourning.

The service in parliament’s great hall will be MC’ed by broadcaster Melissa Doyle and attended by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, the governor general, David Hurley, and other officials.

Albanese said the memorial service would be an opportunity for all Australians “to pay respect to our faithful monarch for the past 70 years, her majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.

“As we pay tribute to her majesty, I encourage all Australians to reflect on her remarkable life of dedication and service with one minute’s silence at 11am,” he said.

“Her Majesty had a deep affection with Australia and Australians have remembered her fondly since her passing. The Queen lived her life with an air of dignity and grace that will be remembered for centuries to come.”

Others expected to attend the service include the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, state and territory first ministers, MPs, high court justices and members of the diplomatic corps.

It will feature Australian Idol runner-up Anthony Callea and the Australian Girls Choir. The iconic 1954 Sir William Dargie painting of the Queen will be the centrepiece of the service surrounded by golden wattle, sweet peas and dahlias.

Albanese arrives back in Australia on Wednesday after representing Australia at the Queen’s funeral.

Parliament will return on Friday for condolence motions. Three further sitting days from Monday 26 September to Wednesday 28 September will help make up for days lost when parliament was suspended for two weeks following the Queen’s death.

The independent senator David Pocock will push for parliament to also sit on Thursday 29 September to consider legislation on the right of territories to legislate euthanasia, paid domestic violence leave and the national anti-corruption commission.

“While I appreciate the conventions we observe following the passing of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, following that I believe Australians expect politicians to be attending to the work of the parliament in debating and legislating on behalf of our communities and our constituents,” Pocock said.

On Monday, Albanese will travel to Japan with former prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull for the memorial service of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

The deputy Labor leader, Richard Marles, will again be the acting prime minister.

Contributor

Paul Karp

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Australia has lost a ‘wise and encouraging guide’, PM Anthony Albanese says in tribute to the Queen
The prime minister will travel to London to meet the new king and mark the funeral of Elizabeth II

Sarah Martin and Josh Butler

08, Sep, 2022 @10:02 PM

Article image
Anthony Albanese says ‘now not the time’ to discuss republic
Australia’s prime minister prepares to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II in the UK this week after announcing national day of mourning

Amy Remeikis

11, Sep, 2022 @5:30 PM

Article image
Ten ‘everyday’ Australians to travel to Queen’s funeral with Anthony Albanese
PM says the 10 guests represent Australian culture and values but dismisses questions about whether any of them support becoming a republic

Sarah Martin Chief political correspondent

13, Sep, 2022 @4:11 AM

Article image
Anthony Albanese lays floral tribute to Queen Elizabeth II before meeting with King Charles
Australian prime minister says his visit is about ‘commemorating a life well-lived’

Guardian staff and agencies

17, Sep, 2022 @7:55 AM

Article image
Australia to have public holiday to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Anthony Albanese announces
Thursday 22 September to be a one-off national holiday and will coincide with a memorial ceremony in Canberra

Cait Kelly

11, Sep, 2022 @5:36 AM

Article image
What happens in Australia now that the Queen has died and Charles is King?
Explainer: A 14-day series of events including a national day of mourning has been mapped out to memorialise the death of Queen Elizabeth II

Josh Butler

09, Sep, 2022 @12:10 AM

Article image
Julia Gillard says Australia will ultimately become republic after death of Queen Elizabeth II
Former PM endorses Anthony Albanese’s view to wait on debate, saying ‘no rush’ on moving away from British head of state

Paul Karp

15, Sep, 2022 @11:05 PM

Article image
‘Collector’s item’: Australians utilise quirk that entitles citizens to free portrait of the Queen
Under little-known nationhood obligation, MPs supply patriotic objects including flags, national anthem recordings and portraits of the monarch

Caitlin Cassidy

10, Sep, 2022 @8:00 PM

Article image
Albanese says ‘inappropriate’ to discuss republic now but doesn’t rule out future referendum
Prime minister says vote to recognise Indigenous Australians in the constitution comes before any referendum on republic

Paul Karp

12, Sep, 2022 @12:51 AM

Article image
Queen public holiday: Australian business groups express concern over lost revenue and staffing disruptions
Industry bodies join medical association in criticising Albanese government over notice for national day of mourning after death of Queen Elizabeth

Natasha May

12, Sep, 2022 @1:59 AM