Leaders gather to remember Queen at national memorial service in Parliament House

Australia’s leaders have acknowledged the nation is changing, singling out the journey of reconciliation with First Nations people, as they honoured the life of Queen Elizabeth II.

A minute’s silence around the country preceded the national memorial service at Parliament House in Canberra attended by politicians, diplomats, schoolchildren, military and emergency services personnel, and representatives from different religious faiths.

WA Governor Chris Dawson, Premier Mark McGowan and his wife Sarah, and High Court Justices Michelle Gordon and James Edelman were among the VIP guests at the service. Former prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard and Scott Morrison also attended, sitting together.

Anthony Albanese spoke of the immense transformation in Australia the Queen had witnessed during her 70-year reign.

The Prime Minister said that on her first tour here in 1954, she was one of only a handful of women in the Senate chamber when she addressed Parliament. On her final visit to Australia in 2011, the Queen was greeted by a female PM in Julia Gillard and Governor-General Quentin Bryce. And at Thursday’s service, almost half the politicians and five of the six State governors present were women.

Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan gave a Welcome to Country, as she did at the proclamation ceremony for King Charles III earlier this month, saying watching the Queen’s funeral had made her think about losing her own mother.

Mr Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley both reflected on the Queen’s belief in the Australian people determining their own future.

The Prime Minister is a republican but has deflected questions about Australia’s future as a constitutional monarchy since the Queen’s death a fortnight ago. His priority for constitutional change is to include the First Nations Voice to Parliament, and he has suggested a referendum on becoming a republic would have to wait for a second term of government.

“In all things — including our advance to reconciliation — the Queen always wanted the best for our country,” Mr Albanese said at the memorial service.

“She greeted every evolution in our relationship with Britain with good grace and an abiding faith in the judgment of the Australian people.”

In his address, Mr Hurley said the Queen had always shared in Australia’s growth and change and “understood that we are our own people and that we control our destiny”.

He acknowledged her death had prompted different reactions among the community.

“I’m conscious and respect that the response of many First Nations Australians is shaped by our colonial history and broader reconciliation journey. That is a journey we as a nation must complete,” he said, to murmurs of agreement.

“I’d suggest that a lesson for us can be found by being both reflective and prospective in our considerations. To look back and admire and to look ahead and contemplate.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also paid respect to the Queen’s constancy and her “steadfastly embodying humanity’s very best virtues and values” while regenerating the monarchy.

“Perhaps our Queen’s greatest triumph will be a renaissance of these virtues and values as we remember her evermore.”

Mr Howard said afterwards these had been “three very fine addresses”.

The official party was led into Parliament’s Great Hall by performers from Wiradjuri Echoes. Pop singer Anthony Callea and the Australian Girls Choir, both of whom performed for the Queen during visits to Australia, sang at the service, which was led by Network 7’s Melissa Doyle.

Mr McGowan described the service as “very moving and well done”.

Mr Dawson and the other State governors gave the prayers of the faithful.

“In all the changing times of life, she was a constant model of dignity and service,” Mr Dawson said.

“Please give us grace to recognise Your gifts to her and through her and to follow the good of her example in the seasons ahead.”

After the formal ceremonies, scouts placed a pair of plain wreaths at the stage and offered attendees sprigs of wattle — representing the resilience of the Australian people — to adorn them.

Amid the ceremony of paying respects, there were quiet gestures of personal comfort and recognition of changing times, such as Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney reaching out to squeeze Aunty Violet’s hand.

On Friday, Federal Parliament will hear condolence motions for Her Majesty.