Hansard debates

Mrs McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (11:27): It is of course with sadness that I rise to speak on this condolence message, which marks the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. But it is also an honour to do so, and it is right for this house to reflect on the Duke’s lifetime of service, his selfless devotion to duty and his steadfast loyalty to Queen Elizabeth. There has been no shortage in recent weeks of tributes to Prince Philip from all parts of the commonwealth and the world and all parts of society. The sheer range of these tributes is the clearest demonstration of the extraordinary reach of monarchy and its value to so many different individuals, organisations and indeed nations. It is also testament to the remarkable longevity and dedication which Prince Philip personally embodied.

He clearly rated Australia and my electorate of Western Victoria, as he sent his son to school in Geelong—Geelong Grammar School. I have been in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses, and I can personally attest to the sense of pride and inspiration that they inspired in so many. As the patron of charities across the globe, Prince Philip has done invaluable work in supporting more good causes than many of us know exist. He had a real, tangible impact. He gave his time in the service of charities of every stripe—not in company directorships, not in public media interviews or celebrity endorsement but behind the scenes in so many ways.

We knew that his dedication was selfless and was not always easy, yet just as during his years of wartime service, Prince Philip steeled himself to do his duty for decades more without complaint. His is a lesson which all generations to follow would do well to learn, and the impact was huge. I can personally attest to the number of republicans who would push past you in the queue to greet the Prince and our Queen. He also had a love of horses, and he played polo as a younger man, but in later years he was a very accomplished carriage driver, and horses played a very significant role in his funeral.

Republicans even recognise the value of the office and the charisma brought to it by the Queen and her loyal husband of 70 years. This is not the place for a wider argument about the value of a constitutional monarchy, but I look forward to returning to that case. I will simply say that I am honoured to give this tribute and to assure the house that I will redouble my efforts in his honour in support of the Australian Monarchist League, so ably led by Philip Benwell, MBE.

I express my deepest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen on her loss of a husband of 74 years, her strength and stay, and to their children and others who mourn this loss. I pay tribute to a life well lived. Vale, Prince Philip.