Members statements
Queen Elizabeth II platinum jubilee
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (12:48): I want to take this opportunity to note the great service that Queen Elizabeth II has given to this country and to the commonwealth. Seventy years, the platinum jubilee, is an appropriate achievement, an amazing achievement, done with dignity, with grace and with good common sense. I think Victorians can be very proud of the model of government we have here in Victoria. I think we can be very proud of the contribution that the Queen has made to Victoria. I note that earlier in the day a comment was made about the Queen opening the Parliament here in 1954. I think that that is an important recognition of our heritage as a Westminster parliament, a parliament that draws on the traditions and concepts that were built up over 1000 years of constitutional development and history in England. I do think that the monarchy is a significant buttress to our freedoms. It has been a successful model in Victoria that has provided a very strong form of government. I think over the weekend we all saw the concert, the trooping of the colour, the church service and many of the other recognitions of Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable service, and I say God save the Queen.