Victoria’s MPs have taken the oath of allegiance again and sworn in under King Charles III.
Members of the Legislative Assembly took their oaths in groups of ten before a representative of the Governor of Victoria.
The Prime Minister, Daniel Andrews, spoke on behalf of MPs in the parliament chamber, noting how much Victoria had changed in the years since the Queen’s first visit.
“The Victoria of 2022 is much bigger, bigger and richer, bolder and more diverse than the Victoria that first visited, as is our democracy,” he said.
(ABC News: Tim Callanan)
Andrews noted that there was not a single woman MP in the Victorian parliament in 1954, and now there are 52.
The Prime Minister recalled Her Majesty’s visit in 2011 when she opened the new Royal Children’s Hospital in Parkville, next to the existing hospital, which she had also opened almost 50 years earlier.
“She had a grueling schedule that day, as I’m sure she did most days, but she remained genuinely excited to be part of the opening of a children’s hospital.”
“The Royal Children’s Hospital showed the best care that day, and so did the Queen.”
In Parliament’s upper house, the Legislative Council, Victoria’s Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes read a motion of condolence on behalf of MPs.
“We recognize and pay tribute to Her Majesty’s lifelong dedicated service and honor the commitment she made to the people of the Commonwealth,” he said.
“Queen Elizabeth lived an extraordinary life by any measure. She visited Australia 16 times, including Victoria on 11 occasions. She was the first reigning monarch to visit Australia in 1954.”
Symes made a passing reference to the upcoming state election while discussing Queen Elizabeth’s first visit to Australia.
“He visited 57 cities in 56 days, something many of us will no doubt be trying to replicate in the coming weeks.”
Reporting by Tim Callanan