Our Queen: Strength and enduring wisdom

The past two weeks have certainly been a time of reflection for many of us. 

For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth reigned as Australia’s Head of State. During this time, the Queen visited Australia 16 times visiting every state and territory. 

For most of us she is the only Head of State we’ve known. While the role of the Monarchy has evolved, Her Majesty’s great strength and enduring wisdom ensured she was both respected and loved around the world. 

More than anything though she truly lived a life of service. 

The passing of The Queen has given us a pause to reflect on our systems of government more broadly. 

The foundation of Australia’s system of government is based on the British Westminster System. However, we have a mixed system of government; it is a representative democracy and a constitutional monarchy. And it is also a federation of states. 

As a democratic country we all have the power to participate in decision-making. We have a robust parliamentary democracy and make our own national decisions.  

It is important to acknowledge the Queen has never stood in the way of Australia’s progression. In 1999 she took a great interest on the referendum for Australia to become a republic but supported the right of Australians to become a fully independent nation saying she has ‘always made it clear that the future of the monarchy in Australia is an issue for the Australian people and them alone to decide.’ 

A democracy relies on the participation of its citizens and as a vibrant democracy we all have a role to play in the way in which our future is shaped. 

The world is changing at a rapid rate and to some there is value in the constancy of what we know. After all, if it’s not broken why fix it?