SUBJECT: His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh

Thanks very much for joining me. I wish to make a statement this morning on behalf of the Australian Labor Party on the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

While we mourn the death of Prince Philip, our grief is at least softened by the fact that we're also celebrating a long and a truly remarkable life.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, knew war and peace, knew Empire and Commonwealth, turbulence and tranquility. Throughout it all he never lost his famously irreverent sense of humour, nor his equally celebrated dedication to public service.

During his many decades devoted to his Queen, his Nation and the Commonwealth, he also became an enduring part of the story of our nation. He visited Australia first, way back in 1940, as a midshipman aboard a battleship. He, of course, became a regular visitor to our shores, not the least of which was his extensive visit here with the Queen in 1954. And his opening of our Olympic Games in Melbourne, in 1956.

He developed multiple connections here and ultimately built a lasting legacy, not the least of which is the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. An award scheme that my own son participated in as a local high school student. One that gave great encouragement and support to young people as they grew into adulthood. This, indeed, has seen some 800,000 young Australians participate and it will continue.

Of course, Prince Philip's death brings to an end, one of the most remarkable and enduring partnerships of our time. Queen Elizabeth often found ways to describe the utter centrality of Philip in her life. Indeed she once said that she owed him, to quote her, a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.

On behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I extend my sincere condolences to Her Majesty and to the Royal Family, on what is a sad day. A solemn day, but one in which, and I conclude, we celebrate such a long and fulfilling life.

Thanks very much.

ENDS