Australia's message to Her Majesty The Queen

6th February 2012


Her Excellency the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, has sent the following message to Her Majesty The Queen, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of her accession to the Throne:

“It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the people of Australia, to send Your Majesty loyal and affectionate greetings and congratulations on the 60th anniversary of your accession to the Throne.

The warmth and enthusiasm which greeted Your Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh on the occasion of your 16th visit to our country last year was a reflection of the immense regard in which you continue to be held.

[My husband] Michael [Bryce] joins me in wishing you a wonderful year ahead”.


The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Australian Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott posted this message on his website:

The Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen
Posted on Monday, 6th February 2012

It was sixty years ago today that Her Majesty The Queen ascended the throne on the death of her father, King George VI.

Though The Queen will formally celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in June it is appropriate that we acknowledge today The Queen’s sixty years of service.

As evidenced by the tens of thousands who greeted her during her most recent visit last year, The Queen has a special place in the hearts of all Australians.

The Queen’s first Australian Prime Minister was Sir Robert Menzies. No less than 11 Australian prime ministers and 17 opposition leaders have come and gone in those sixty years.

Whilst The Queen herself has been unchanging in her commitment to the values of service and loyalty, the Crown has evolved with the people it serves. Over the past sixty years, for instance, the office of Governor-General has evolved into a fully Australian office.

Today Australians will think of our Queen with respect and affection.

I hope all Australians will have the opportunity to celebrate and commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee during 2012. The Coalition will be supportive of appropriate national commemorations that honour this significant event.


Her Majesty's Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard, had a transcript of a press conference in Canberra on her website:

6th February 2012

I’ve got three matters to deal with today. First I would like to offer my congratulations to the Queen on her Diamond Jubilee. Today is the anniversary, the sixtieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. We will be saying some more about this in Parliament tomorrow and particularly the ways that Australians can get involved in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee this year.

For today it is enough to say that we are marking a remarkable event for our Monarch, she is the only person to reach – the second person to reach the Diamond Jubilee anniversary, a truly remarkable event. I believe Australians remember her visit to Australia last year with a feeling of warmth and many Australians will want to get involved in celebrating this milestone this year.