Australians will be asked to observe a minute’s silence at 11am on Thursday to reflect on Queen Elizabeth II’s life of service.
The quiet reflection will start the national memorial service to be held in Canberra on Thursday – which has been declared a public holiday and a national day of mourning.
The service in parliament’s great hall will be MC’ed by broadcaster Melissa Doyle and attended by the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, the governor general, David Hurley, and other officials.
Albanese said the memorial service would be an opportunity for all Australians “to pay respect to our faithful monarch for the past 70 years, her majesty Queen Elizabeth II”.
“As we pay tribute to her majesty, I encourage all Australians to reflect on her remarkable life of dedication and service with one minute’s silence at 11am,” he said.
“Her Majesty had a deep affection with Australia and Australians have remembered her fondly since her passing. The Queen lived her life with an air of dignity and grace that will be remembered for centuries to come.”
Others expected to attend the service include the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, state and territory first ministers, MPs, high court justices and members of the diplomatic corps.
It will feature Australian Idol runner-up Anthony Callea and the Australian Girls Choir. The iconic 1954 Sir William Dargie painting of the Queen will be the centrepiece of the service surrounded by golden wattle, sweet peas and dahlias.
Albanese arrives back in Australia on Wednesday after representing Australia at the Queen’s funeral.
Parliament will return on Friday for condolence motions. Three further sitting days from Monday 26 September to Wednesday 28 September will help make up for days lost when parliament was suspended for two weeks following the Queen’s death.
The independent senator David Pocock will push for parliament to also sit on Thursday 29 September to consider legislation on the right of territories to legislate euthanasia, paid domestic violence leave and the national anti-corruption commission.
“While I appreciate the conventions we observe following the passing of her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, following that I believe Australians expect politicians to be attending to the work of the parliament in debating and legislating on behalf of our communities and our constituents,” Pocock said.
On Monday, Albanese will travel to Japan with former prime ministers John Howard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull for the memorial service of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
The deputy Labor leader, Richard Marles, will again be the acting prime minister.
