Key posts
- Biden pays tribute to ‘honourable’ Queen before funeral
- Teals move to force Labor’s hand on paid parental leave
- William and Harry reunite alongside Queen’s other grandchildren for emotional vigil
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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Biden pays tribute to ‘honourable’ Queen before funeral
United States President Joe Biden has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the eve of her state funeral, saying Britain and the world has been lucky to have such a dignified and dedicated servant on the throne for 70 years.
Biden – who is among scores of dignitaries and royals from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas who have arrived in London for Monday’s funeral – said the Queen’s death at 96 years of age had left a giant hole on the global stage.
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden viewing the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II.Credit:Getty
“To all the people of England, all the people in the United Kingdom, our hearts go out to you,” Biden said after he signed a book of condolences and viewed the Queen’s coffin at Westminster.
“You were fortunate to have had her for 70 years. We all were. The world’s better for her.”
The US president said he had consoled the Queen’s heir, King Charles, that the queen would be “with him every step of the way, every minute, every moment”.
Hundreds of thousands of people have descended on London to bid farewell to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, with people from all walks of life queuing for hours to file past her coffin.
Biden followed other world leaders in appearing on a balcony overlooking the coffin in the historic Westminster Hall, making a sign of the cross and placing his hand on his heart. French President Emmanuel Macron also appeared on the balcony.
The US president later joined Charles and other leaders for an evening reception ahead of the state funeral.
Reuters
Teals move to force Labor’s hand on paid parental leave
Independent MPs are challenging the federal government to take a stand on economic change for women by planning a move that will force Labor caucus members to decide whether to support an increase in paid parental leave to 26 weeks.
While the government says it is looking at ways to make the current scheme more flexible, the crossbench will ask Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his MPs to take a firmer stand on the promises outlined at the government’s jobs summit earlier this month.
Independent MPs Zali Steggall and Zoe Daniel want the government to commit to expanding paid parental leave.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
They want the current 18-week paid parental leave scheme expanded to 26 weeks, costing $600 million a year, to boost women’s workplace equity.
The pressure over extending the Commonwealth parental leave scheme adds to the debate about government services and how they will be paid for, following Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe’s comments on Friday that Labor will need to either hike taxes, cut spending or undertake structural reform to meet community expectations.
More on this issue here.
William and Harry reunite alongside Queen’s other grandchildren for emotional vigil
In case you missed it over the weekend, the late Queen’s eight grandchildren – led by heir to the throne Prince William – have staged a moving vigil in Westminster Hall as members of the public filed past the late monarch’s coffin.
The Prince of Wales stood guard at the head of the casket as the eight grandchildren surrounded the catafalque in an emotional tribute which matched the efforts of their parents the previous evening.
Prince William leads the vigil of the Queen’s grandchildren on Saturday in London.Credit:PA
It was the first time the 15-minute ceremony known as the Vigil of the Princes had been held by a sovereign’s grandchildren. It was first carried out in 1936 when King Edward VIII and his three brothers, Princes Albert, Henry and George, stood by the coffin of their late father, King George V.
Prince Harry, who undertook two tours of Afghanistan, was granted permission by his father, the King, to wear his military uniform during the 15-minute appearance.
Read the full story here.
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning and thanks for your company.
It’s Monday, September 19. I’m Broede Carmody and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started.
- United States President Joe Biden has paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the eve of her state funeral, saying Britain has been lucky to have such a dignified and dedicated monarch on the throne for 70 years. It comes after the Queen’s eight grandchildren staged a vigil at Westminster Hall. The funeral procession will begin around 7.35pm today (AEST).
- Meanwhile, the ban on Chinese officials visiting the Queen’s coffin has been reversed. Latika Bourke has the full story.
- In other news, independent MPs are becoming increasingly vocal when it comes to key parts of Labor’s legislative agenda. Yesterday, the crossbench declared there are still major sticking points when it comes to the government’s preferred model for a national integrity commission. Today, two teal MPs have their eye on improved paid parental leave.
- Rachel Clun writes that more than one in three Australians would quit their job if they couldn’t work from home.
- And National Australia Bank staff may strike for the first time in 20 years due to what the Financial Services Union has described as a “meagre” pay offer. Simone Fox Koob has more.
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