Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (15:59): by leave—I move: That the following address to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second be agreed to: YOUR MAJESTY: We, the President and Members of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia, in Parliament assembled, and on behalf of the people of Australia, offer our warm congratulations on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Your Majesty's accession to the Throne. We express our respect and regard for the dedication Your Majesty has displayed in the service of the Commonwealth and Your Majesty's deep and abiding commitment to Australia and her people. Today we acknowledge a remarkable achievement: the diamond jubilee of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It is a contrast today, having acknowledged the death of one of her most distinguished representatives in this country, that we celebrate her remarkable period as Queen. It is not often that the Senate pauses to officially mark such regal occasions, but it is equally rare that as a nation we have the opportunity to celebrate six decades of continuous service by our monarch. I am sure all senators will join me in expressing our congratulations to Her Majesty and in extending our warmest regards on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne. It is also of note that we are joined by the community of nations we know today as the Commonwealth as we pay tribute to Her Majesty for the dedication with which she has served. On 31 December 1900, the six colonies of the continent of Australia were united by one special bond: the crown of Queen Victoria. One day later, on 1 January 1901, a new united Australian nation reaffirmed its special bond to the Crown. Since that much celebrated founding of our Federation 111 years ago, a total of six monarchs have served as our head of state. I think it is fair to say that no monarch in Australia's history has been held in such deep affection as Queen Elizabeth II. That affection was clearly displayed last year when Her Majesty visited Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and, of course, Perth for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting. It was her 16th visit to Australia, but as always the crowds turned out. On a personal note, my mother-in-law was very excited when I took her to the reception in Perth. It was the best thing her son-in-law had ever done as far as she was concerned. She does not always have a good word for me, but on this occasion she did! A sign of the welcome that Australians gave the Queen was that all of the events she attended were so well attended and that so many Australians were keen to meet her. During those visits to our nation, Australians have watched Her Majesty as she has grown from a young, shy sovereign to a woman of wisdom, elegance, grace and compassion who has served with unwavering dedication. During Her Majesty's reign, Australia too has grown and matured into a modern, dynamic and sophisticated nation. Her Majesty has been with us in person for some of those moments that have defined us as a nation. The Queen opened the Opera House in Sydney in 1973. In 1980 she opened the High Court of Australia and in 1988, on 9 May, Her Majesty opened this building, the new Parliament House. She was the first reigning monarch to visit this land and she has seen it go from strength to strength. In this, her diamond jubilee year, it is important for us to reflect on how both Her Majesty and our nation have grown together, maturing with wisdom and understanding but not defying change. We have become a nation which welcomes people from all over the world, a nation which has embraced diversity and celebrates multiculturalism, a nation which takes pride in its enviable tradition of parliamentary democracy and a nation mature enough to debate a constitutional future of our own and the future of monarchy itself. Whatever the future may be, Australians regard Her Majesty with enormous respect and affection. It is with great fondness that we mark her diamond jubilee, a celebration which all Australians can participate in. Australians will all have the opportunity to participate in those celebrations. In October of last year the Prime Minister joined with British Prime Minister David Cameron to announce the establishment of the Queen's diamond jubilee trust. The trust will support charitable organisations and projects across the entire Commonwealth. The Prime Minister will announce today that Australia will contribute up to $5 million to the trust, which will provide a lasting legacy of the Queen's reign, a fitting tribute for a woman whose commitment to service has been unwavering. I encourage all Australians to take the time to reflect on all we have achieved during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. On behalf of the government, I extend to Her Majesty our most sincere congratulations for her celebrated reign of 60 years. I am sure the Senate will join with me in offering our best wishes for her diamond jubilee year.