‘Queen of Australia’: Albanese, Morrison among many to pay respect to Queen Elizabeth

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has described Queen Elizabeth II as the “rock of the Commonwealth” and the “Queen of Australia”, paying tribute to the longest-serving monarch.

Speaking to ABC News, he said meeting the Queen was one of the greatest highlights of his political career.

“I described her as the rock of the Commonwealth and she really was. She really was dedicated to the service of all people right across the Commonwealth,” he said.

“She had a deep love for our Pacific people as well, something that I share with her and that was also, I thought, a wonderful feature.”

He also paid his respects to King Charles III, who has assumed the role of monarch while mourning the loss of his mother.

Former head of the Australian Republican Movement, Malcolm Turnbull became emotional when speaking about Queen Elizabeth.

He told ABC News he and wife Lucy went to bed last night with dread and woke up in grief.

“The Queen was an extraordinary presence for all of our lives. She has been so dignified, so devoted to service, and at a personal level, so engaging,” he said.

“So when we met with her, she was charming and calm, put us at our ease, keenly interested in all the affairs and personalities of the day, absolutely not going through the motions, absolutely not on the talking points, but wanted to know what I thought and then when Lucy joined us, what she thought, about the big issues of our time – geopolitical issues, planning issues, urban issues.

“Really, she was as well informed and as keenly interested in my views as an Australian prime minister, as any British cabinet minister I met.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remembered the late Queen as a monarch who “let her humanity show” and someone who performed her duty with “fidelity, integrity and humour”.

“There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: ‘Grief is the price we pay for love’,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.

“She celebrated our good times, she stood with us in the bad. Happy and glorious but steadfast too. In particular, we recall the sympathy and personal kindness she extended to Australians afflicted by tragedy and disaster.”

Mr Albanese said the Queen’s passing marks “the end of an era”.

“This time of mourning will pass but the deep respect and warm regard in which Australians always held Her Majesty will never fade.”

Queen Elizabeth II died aged 96, peacefully at her home in Scotland, Buckingham Palace announced.

Former Australian prime ministers have paid tribute to the Queen.

Kevin Rudd said the Queen’s affection for Australia was “as profound as it was enduring”.

“Our thoughts are with the Royal Family, who have not only lost their monarch, but a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,” he said in a statement.

Tony Abbott said it was unlikely the world would see another figure quite like Queen Elizabeth.

“We have lost an exemplar of duty, honour and faithfulness but deep thanks for her life should mingle with numbness and sadness at this loss, ” he said in a statement.

“Nine-tenths of the world’s people have known no other Queen. We can but hope the world might see her like again but none of us ever will.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet extended his deepest sympathies to the Royal family.

“While we mourn her passing, it is the occasion for the people of NSW to offer thanks for a lifetime of public duty to the Crown, the Commonwealth and to millions of people across the globe,” he said in a statement.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said the world “treasured’ the Queen.

“Very few of us know a world without The Queen in it. Her presence spanned countries, cultures, language and continents – her reign transcended decades and generations. And like no monarch before her, she captured our hearts and our affection.”

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan spoke of her being a “tower of strength” since becoming Queen in her mid 20s.

“She led the Commonwealth through some of the darkest days and will forever be an inspiration to the world and Western Australia,” he said.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Her Majesty was a friend to Tasmania.

“I know Her Majesty had a very genuine interest in our people and our wonderful state. We all appreciated her warmth and kindness,” he said.

NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles also spoke of Her Majesty’s visits.

“The Queen loved Australia, and she loved the Northern Territory. Her multiple visits to the Territory meant she understood our strong cultural bonds and our connection to our land,” she said.

Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queen will be “greatly missed”.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen also remembered one of the Queen’s famous statements.

“At 21 she said her life “whether it be long or short” would be dedicated to our service,” Mr Bowen said.

“She lived up to that pledge over her long life. She had little choice as to her career yet she dedicated herself to it.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton said there’s never been a “more dignified monarch”.

Australian tennis legend and winner of 11 Grand Slam singles titles, Rod Laver also extended his condolences.

Governor-General David Hurley said he was “deeply saddened” by the Queen’s passing and will be addressing the nation on Friday.

SBS