AUSTRALIA will have a one-off public holiday on Thursday, September 22, as part of a national day of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced this morning.
“It will be a one-off national public holiday to allow people to pay their respects,” Albanese said.
At midday today (September 11), there was a 21-gun salute by the Australian Defence Force marking the proclamation of King Charles III.
Earlier this morning, the Governor-General David Hurley presided over a meeting of the Executive Council, which is specifically responsible for advising him on constitutional change and other matters of national significance. It is comprised of cabinet ministers and formally accepted Charles as the new head of state.
“The first in my lifetime and the first in a majority of Australian’s lifetime,” Albanese said.
“Queen Elizabeth and her devotion to duty will be recorded in history for centuries to come so we have a solemn responsibility here today.”
The prime minister and governor-general will fly to London on Thursday to attend the Queen’s funeral service the following Monday, September 19.
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