What we learned today, Saturday 10 September
We will close this blog now. Thank you all for your company and correspondence today.
As we leave, a summary of what’s happened on a day of mostly quiet formality as Australia spent its first day since 1952 without Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The first full day of the reign of the King of Australia, Charles III.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, led parliamentary and diplomatic figures in laying a wreath for the Queen at Parliament House. He said the Queen had been an “absolute inspiration”.
Albanese spoke with the UK prime minister, Liz Truss, and discussed the “depth of mourning that is occurring in the United Kingdom” and conveyed Australia’s sadness.
The AFLW won’t have a minute’s silence for games in its Indigenous round this weekend. The AFL said it would move its Brownlow medal event to avoid a clash with the Queen’s funeral.
At 10am in London today (7pm in Canberra), King Charles III will attend a ceremony of the Accession Council at St James’s Palace to be formally proclaimed king.
At noon on Sunday, the governor general, David Hurley, will issue a formal proclamation of the death of Queen Elizabeth, and the accession of King Charles.
Australians continued to mourn the loss of the Queen, placing flowers at government buildings.
In state parliaments, Victoria confirmed it would join other states in adjourning for a week to honour the Queen. The federal parliament is suspended for 15 days.
Newspapers devoted their front pages to commemorate the death of the Queen, and the ABC continued with special TV programming.
Updated
All public transport will be free tomorrow so people can travel to Sydney to witness the historic proclamation of His Majesty The King.
— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) September 10, 2022
The ceremony will be held outside NSW Parliament House tomorrow, commencing at 12.30pm.
Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
“You don’t mess with Gran,” Prince Harry told a television interviewer in 2012, the year of his grandmother’s diamond jubilee.
In that one sentence he conjured up the backbone that had carried Queen Elizabeth II through one of the longest reigns in British history, presiding over a family dynasty which had its difficult moments but by the end of her time on the throne had established itself in the public affection.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by Melbourne tram
AAP reports from Melbourne:
A pedestrian has died after being struck by a tram in Melbourne’s south.
Police believe the person was struck by the tram on Kings Way near York Street in South Melbourne just after 1.30pm on Saturday.
The pedestrian died at the scene and is yet to be identified.
Police have urged anyone with information, dashcam footage or CCTV to contact Crime Stoppers.
Route 58 trams were diverted from the scene on Saturday afternoon.
Motorists were also advised to expect delays, with three inbound lanes closed on Kings Way at Sturt Street.
Yarra Trams has been contacted for comment.
Updated
Saturday news summary: the day so far
Thanks for being with us so far.
Here’s a summary of what’s happened on a day of mostly quiet formality as Australia spent its first day since 1952 without Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, led parliamentary and diplomatic figures in laying a wreath for the Queen at Parliament House. He said the Queen had been an “absolute inspiration”.
Albanese spoke with the UK prime minister, Liz Truss, and discussed the “depth of mourning that is occurring in the United Kingdom” and conveyed Australia’s sadness.
The AFLW won’t have a minute’s silence for games in its Indigenous round this weekend. The AFL said it would move its Brownlow medal event to avoid a clash with the Queen’s funeral.
At 10am in London today (7pm in Canberra), King Charles III will attend a ceremony of the Accession Council at St James’s Palace to be formally proclaimed king.
At noon on Sunday, the governor general, David Hurley, will issue a formal proclamation of the death of Queen Elizabeth, and the accession of King Charles III.
Australians continued to mourn the loss of the Queen, placing flowers at government buildings.
In state parliaments, Victoria confirmed it would join other states in adjourning for a week to honour the Queen. The federal parliament is suspended for 15 days.
Newspapers devoted their front pages to commemorate the death of the Queen, and the ABC continued with special TV programming.
Updated
Charles to be formally proclaimed King in St James’s Palace ceremony
The UK is waking up.
At 10am in London, King Charles III will take part in a historic Accession Council ceremony.
If you want to follow in far more detail how the King’s accession will unfold in the UK, as the country prepares for the Queen’s funeral, you can get all the details on our live blog.
Updated
Proclamation of King Charles III confirmed for noon Sunday
The government has confirmed the formality of proclaiming the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III will take place on Sunday at noon at Parliament House.
The governor general, David Hurley, the King’s representative in Australia, will make the proclamation. A 21-gun salute will follow.
The last time an Australian governor general performed such a role was in 1952, when William McKell proclaimed the death of King George VI and the accession of Queen Elizabeth II.
The proclamation of the accession of His Majesty The King, Charles the Third, Head of the Commonwealth will be announced by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia at Noon on Sunday 11 September 2022, at Australian Parliament House in Canberra. pic.twitter.com/bL6yPhKMZs
— Australian Government (@ausgov) September 10, 2022
Updated
Australians from across the country are paying their respects to Queen Elizabeth II. You can contribute to the messages of condolence being sent to Buckingham Palace here: https://t.co/bRN6Kvhxco pic.twitter.com/ziiKiyhm1n
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) September 10, 2022
Victorian taskforce to tackle real estate underquoting
The Victorian government is setting up a taskforce to monitor and investigate the real estate practice of publicly advertising property prices that are lower than the seller is willing to accept.
The Andrews government will spend $3.8m on the taskforce to crack down on the practice – known as underquoting – that was wasting the time and money of Victorians.
Work will start immediately, the government said in a statement on Saturday, with sales campaigns being monitored and market intelligence collected, with targeted inspections to seize documents.
In May, government inspectors made unannounced visits to 29 metropolitan and regional estate agents’ offices to monitor their compliance with underquoting laws.
The consumer affairs minister, Melissa Horne, said:
We’re cracking down on underquoting by real estate agents because it is not only unfair and wastes house-hunters’ time and money at a time when every dollar courts – it’s also illegal.
A dedicated taskforce sends a strong message and will ensure those doing the wrong thing are held to account. Purchasing a property is one of the biggest decisions people make and they deserve honest pricing to make informed decisions about how they spend their money.
The taskforce will be run out of Consumer Affairs Victoria and will include existing and additional officers with a range of skills and experience, including inspectors, investigators, information analysts and legal officers.
Updated
AFL moves Brownlow medal to avoid clash with Queen’s funeral
AAP is reporting the AFL has moved the Brownlow Medal from its traditional Monday night before the grand final to avoid a clash with the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
The sport’s biggest night of the year was scheduled to be held at Crown Casino in Melbourne on September 19.
But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has confirmed the league will stage the Brownlow on September 18 instead, out of respect for the late Queen.
The funeral service for Queen Elizabeth II has not been confirmed, but it will almost certainly be held on September 19.
The move is not without precedent, with the AFL rescheduling a qualifying final in 1997 so it did not clash with the funeral of Princess Diana.
Tributes continue to flow for the late Queen, with the MCG lights turned off before the Melbourne-Brisbane semi-final on Friday night as 62,162 fans observed a minute’s silence.
The AFL also played part of God Save The Queen prior to the national anthem as the Demons and Lions teams stood on the field.
The outside of the MCG was also lit up in purple in memory of the Queen.
In the NRL, a minute’s silence was observed at Penrith’s BlueBet Stadium for the Panthers’ qualifying final against Parramatta.
As this blog reported earlier, the AFLW has reversed a decision to have a minute’s silence before its Indigenous round games this weekend.
University of Sydney honours the Queen with royal-themed repertoire
University of Sydney students have come to the Quadrangle Saturday afternoon for the annual book fair, filing out of the Great Hall as the carillon plays a royal-themed repertoire in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
Tim is glad the university is marking the monarch:
People online are very validly saying that they personally aren’t mourning and they have every prerogative not to mourn themselves. But I think it’s nice our institutions are commemorating her.
There’s such a stellar quote from her 1992 ‘annus horribilis’ speech – something about people in public service we have every prerogative to keep them accountable, and to do it with a touch of kindness is the right way to do it.
Royal-themed repertoire starting at the University of Sydney, played from the carillon.
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) September 10, 2022
“I Vow to Thee My Country” is first with “God Save the Queen” to follow. pic.twitter.com/cWpB7MXtIm
I ask two other students, Astro and Matthew, about the royal repertoire playing. Astro says:
Oh is that what that’s about? I think it makes sense because the University of Sydney is quite an old establishment. It’s sad, but I also think we’re going to become a republic soon because of King Charles.
Matthew adds:
I think having a royal family anyway is a bit silly.
Updated
Former prime minister, Kevin Rudd, has written for the Guardian about the death of Queen Elizabeth and how her seemingly “indestructible force” had many imagining she could “stay with us forever”.
And also, a funny story about the Queen’s less-than-complimentary view on the virtues of one of her corgis.
Updated
Confirmation Victoria's parliament suspended for one week
As expected, Victoria’s parliament will not sit next week. Here’s a joint statement statement from leader of the legislative council, Jaclyn Symes, and leader of the house, Lizzie Blandthorn.
Following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Victorian Parliament will adjourn for one week as a mark of respect.
As per the advice of the Presiding Officers, following the proclamation of Her Majesty’s successor, both Houses of Parliament will sit on Tuesday so that Members of the Assembly and Council can be sworn by oath or affirmation.
Following this process, both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council will adjourn for one week as a mark of respect and return to sit on Tuesday 20 September – in line with the Parliament of NSW.
That day of sitting will be used for a motion of condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with both Houses adjourning for the day at the motion’s conclusion.
The Parliament of South Australia is also delivering messages of condolence on Tuesday 20 September.
Wednesday 21 September and Thursday 22 September will sit as normal, with valedictory speeches being given by retiring Members.
Updated
Can King Charles still be a climate activist?
Will King Charles III continue his long and very public advocacy for action on the climate and biodiversity crisis that he did when he was Prince of Wales?
It’s a question many are asking. In a speech overnight, there was a hint that, at least publicly, he will have to take a step back.
It will no longer be possible for me to give so much of my time and energies to the charities and issues for which I care so deeply. But I know this important work will go on in the trusted hands of others.
The Washington Post has pointed out that as Prince, he was a “potent influencer” with global reach, not just among the 54 Commonwealth nations and their 2.4bn people.
Like his mother, the Prince may feel he should now adopt a more discreet and less inflammatory tone, or hold his tongue when previously he would have let it rip.
As prince, Charles has said he understands the frustration of activist groups like Extinction Rebellion.
He urged former prime minister, Scott Morrison, to attend global climate talks and he once described “deniers” of climate science as “headless chickens”. He said:
Perhaps it has been too uncomfortable for those with vested interests to acknowledge, but we have spent the best part of the past century enthusiastically testing the world to utter destruction; not looking closely enough at the long-term impact our actions will have.
In a speech in March 2020, the prince linked the horror of the Black Summer bushfires that swept Australia in the months prior to climate change.
Longer, hotter, drier summers are the new reality with which Australia must contend. And so, while we pray that the devastation of this past bushfire season will not be seen again, we must, it troubles me to say, be prepared that it may be very likely repeated and that the resilience of the Australian people will continue to be tested in an unprecedented way.
At last year’s global climate talks in Glasgow, the now monarch said:
We know what we must do. With a growing global population creating ever-increasing demand on the planet’s finite resources, we have to reduce emissions urgently and take action to tackle the carbon already in the atmosphere, including from coal-fired power stations.
Putting a value on carbon, thus making carbon capture solutions more economical, is therefore absolutely critical. Similarly, after billions of years of evolution, nature is our best teacher – in this regard, restoring natural capital, accelerating nature-based solutions and leveraging the circular bioeconomy will be vital to our efforts.
We’ll have to wait to see if King Charles can break with the habit of a lifetime and keep his counsel private.
But what the King says to global leaders in private is another question. One we will likely rarely ever get a glimpse of.
There’s little doubt, though, that the new monarch has been a lifelong environmentalist and advocate for climate change action. That won’t change.
Updated
Here’s my colleague Calla Wahlquist who has looked back at the long history of the late Queen' Elizabeth’s visits to Australia, starting with the first ever visit to the country by a reigning monarch in 1954.
They were greeted upon arrival in Sydney harbour by a crowd of 1 million people – more than half the city’s population at the time. It was the first televised event in Australian history…
It was the first of 16 visits the Queen made to Australia during her 70-year reign. Three generations of Australians have memories of standing on tippy-toes, in their crispest school uniform, to catch a glimpse of Her Majesty.
My colleague Josh Taylor has this explainer on some of the changes we can expect in Australia after the death of Queen Elizabeth.
From currency and QC’s to oaths and public holidays.
We’re asking our readers to share their thoughts, memories and tributes on the passing of the Queen, and the rise of King Charles III.
In other news…
Malcolm Farr has written about new senator David Pocock, and how the “Pocock factor” will influence the government’s success at passing new bills.
Pocock is much more than a new guy who said the word “bullshit” in parliament after hearing more climate science denial from a small minority of the usual suspect senators, he writes.
Updated
After the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, and the governor general, David Hurley, led the laying of wreaths at the Queen’s statue at Parliament House, numerous other federal MPs including Michaelia Cash, Linda Reynolds, Jane Hume and Gordon Reid followed suit.
After the politicians, dozens of members of Canberra’s diplomatic establishment paid their respects, with foreign ambassadors and representatives from embassies also laying floral tributes.
Notable in the line of those laying flowers and wreaths was Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian, with tributes laid on behalf of the embassies of New Zealand, Thailand, Serbia, Singapore, Peru, Egypt and many more.
Updated
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, also spoke with reporters after the wreath-laying ceremony at Parliament House.
Dutton said the ceremony and the array of diplomats present “really reinforce the impact of the Queen’s passing, not just in Commonwealth countries but right across the world.”
He said:
That was the impact of the Queen, the leadership that she provided for the [time] of her reign, the inspiration that she provided for generations, the stoic nature, the way in which she stood by her people through good times and bad, and it is fitting that we have been able to lay wreaths today.
Dutton said the King’s first address overnight had continued “in the same selfless spirit as his mother served, and lived her life”.
I want to acknowledge a lot of outpouring of emotion right across the country – the amount of messages that we’ve had from people in my electorate and around the country who are grieving in different ways.
They have been touched in ways because of their own lives and their own experiences, even though they may not have met the Queen, but they have taken something from her service and they’ve been able to associate with that and I think that was the great power, the great strength of her leadership.
She was able to connect with people from all walks of life, and that’s why there is such a deep sense of grief and mourning.
Updated
Anthony Albanese says Queen's commitment to service an 'absolute inspiration'
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese spoke last night with the new UK prime minister, Liz Truss, who met with the Queen in Scotland just two days before her death.
Speaking to reporters moments after a wreath-laying ceremony at Parliament House, Albanese said:
We talked about the depth of mourning that is occurring in the United Kingdom, but I also conveyed the feeling, the depth of sadness of the Australian people at the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. We will meet when I am in the United Kingdom.
Some time next week, the prime minister will fly to the UK ahead of the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey. He will also meet formally with King Charles III alongside the governor general, David Hurley.
The prime minister also commented on the King’s speech overnight.
I think there have been many moving tributes to the contribution of Queen Elizabeth, but none more so than from King Charles III. King Charles, of course, was paying tribute not just to the sovereign but to his beloved mother, and it was extraordinarily fitting words.
It struck me in particular his words where he said, “the affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.”
That’s why so many Australians have made moving tributes and are mourning this enormous loss, and I again reiterate, on behalf of the people of Australia, our sympathy for the royal family, for their personal loss as well as to the people of the United Kingdom and the people of the Commonwealth in particular, but also the whole world for what is an enormous loss.
Queen Elizabeth reigned for 70 years, in an era of enormous change. She was a constant, reassuring presence with her compassion, her decency, her commitment to service which is an absolute inspiration and which King Charles has referred to in his remarks paying tribute to his late mother.
Updated
This morning’s formal and silent wreath-laying ceremony at Parliament House will be the first of many formalities and occasions for reflection over the coming weeks after the death of the Queen. Another will take place tomorrow.
The last time Australia experienced the death of a monarch was 6 February 1952, when the then prime minister, Robert Menzies, told parliament at 9.50pm that King George VI had died.
As then governor general William McKell did in 1952, the current governor general, David Hurley, will tomorrow read a proclamation at Parliament House. He will declare the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the new reign of King Charles III.
Updated
Jackie Traynere and Barbara Parker are visiting Sydney from Chicago, Illinois, and praised Hail Marys for the Queen’s death outside government house in Sydney.
They said their first memory of the Queen was the royal wedding when Princess Diana and Prince Charles got married. Parker said:
I worked with a woman who didn’t want to be bothered. She rented a hotel room and went in there ordered room service and turned on the TV and just stayed there to watch the whole wedding.
The last big wedding before that was Luke and Laura on General Hospital.
Being in Sydney for the Queen’s death Parker said:
I had a woman in the hotel lobby yesterday that came up to me, all of a sudden she starts hugging me. And she said, Did you hear our queen is dead?
She goes, “aren’t you a Brit? I’m like, No, I’m an American but it’s still sad.
Jackie Traynere and Barbara Parker are visiting Sydney from Chicago Illinois and praised hail Maries for the Queen’s death outside government house in Sydney. pic.twitter.com/TW59gaTUTi
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) September 9, 2022
Jenny Collins brought her 6-year-old daughter Scarlett and 11-year-old son Xavier to lay flowers and a handwritten card at government house Sydney.
I wanted the kids to have something they’ll remember and they’ll tell their kids they remember when the Queen passed and and when they went and saw all these flowers and all the people.
I think it’s important because it’s a moment in time for Australian history and the Queen was - especially for our girls - she was an amazing role model for them. And they’ll, they’ll know a king forevermore now, and we grew up with the queen.
Jenny Collins brought her 6 year old daughter Scarlett to lay flowers so she would have something to remember the Queen by.
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) September 10, 2022
“The Queen an amazing role model, especially for our girls. They'll know a king forevermore now, and we grew up with the queen.” pic.twitter.com/NhE7LYPux1
Diplomats have now moved through the ceremony on Queen’s Terrace laying wreaths and flowers, including UK high commissioner Vicki Treadell and the Chinese ambassador Xiao Qian.
Flags at Parliament House, as they are in most places, are at half-mast today. The ceremony has just concluded.
Updated
Australian Governor-General Hurley and his wife, and PM Albanese with finance minister Katy Gallagher, lay wreaths at the Queen’s statue in a ceremony at Parliament House pic.twitter.com/HAgsQQeepw
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) September 10, 2022
Walking up to the Queen’s statue on the building’s terrace in a procession, led by the Senate’s usher of the black rod, governor general David Hurley and his wife paused for a moment to reflect. They walked forward to lay a wreath of bright yellow flowers, including wattle and sunflowers.
Anthony Albanese and Katy Gallagher were next, laying a similar wreath of yellow and green. ACT chief minister Andrew Barr followed.
Speaker of the Gouse Milton Dick was accompanied by Senate president Sue Lines to lay their wreath. Opposition leader Peter Dutton followed after.
All wreaths were laid in silence.
Updated
Green and gold wreaths of flowers have been placed at the foot of the statue of the Queen by Anthony Albanese and finance minister Katy Gallagher.
ACT chief minister Andrew Barr and the opposition leader Peter Dutton follow.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese and the governor general, David Hurley, are now walking towards the statue of the Queen, together with speaker of the house Milton Dick.
Updated
Parliamentarians and dignitaries gather for wreath-laying
A crowd of parliamentarians and dignitaries are gathering at the Queen’s Terrace area of Canberra’s Parliament House, where a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at a statue of Queen Elizabeth.
The Queen opened the building in 1988, and the outdoor terrace atop the building’s main entrance is one of the most-visited areas by tourists. The statue notes that it was unveiled by the Queen on 9 May, 1988.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley will lay wreaths at the statue, with other politicians and diplomatic officials then invited to do the same.
The ceremony is scheduled to start at 10am.
We can see a number of MPs including Patrick Gorman, Sophie Scamps, Gordon Reid, Michaelia Cash, Keith Pitt, Linda Reynolds, Jane Hume, Steve Georganas already assembled, holding floral tributes.
PM Albanese and Governor-General Hurley to lay a wreath at the statue of Queen Elizabeth at Parliament House in Canberra. A crowd of other parliamentarians and dignitaries assembling pic.twitter.com/ULZ428gVZX
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) September 9, 2022
Updated
Guardian reporter Natasha May is at Government House in Sydney, where floral tributes to the Queen are being left at the gates.
Floral tributes outside government house in Sydney have grown overnight from international representatives and members of the Australian public. pic.twitter.com/TGHyefwSg6
— Natasha May (@natasha__may) September 9, 2022
Reports minute’s silence for Queen scrapped for AFLW Indigenous round
Sports journalists are reporting the AFLW has decided not to hold a minute’s silence before the remainder of the Indigenous round of games this weekend.
The Age and the Herald Sun are reporting that after initially deciding a minute’s silence would be held, the AFLW sent a memo late last night to say this wouldn’t now happen.
In The Age, Peter Ryan reports club representatives including Indigenous liaison officers had raised concerns with the league over a lack of consultation.
The Herald Sun reports there was a minute’s silence for the first game of the round between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle last night.
AFL decides minutes silence not to proceed in the AFLW indigenous round as they considered sensitivities on issue. Many clubs raised issues after not being consulted properly by the AFL.
— peter ryan (@petryan) September 9, 2022
How Australian newspaper's covered the Queen's death
News of the death of Queen Elizabeth II came in the early hours of Friday – too late for Australia’s printed newspapers.
So today is the first opportunity the printed versions of Australia’s papers have had to report the death.
Here are a few of the front pages from today I’ve been able to find. Many offer “souvenir editions” of their papers.
Good morning. Here is today's commemorative front page of the Herald https://t.co/YwPCGS5vgN pic.twitter.com/KSfYIiF6Bw
— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) September 9, 2022
The front page of our special commemorative edition of The Saturday Age for September 10, 2022. Read more news online here: pic.twitter.com/dWWeHU8imA
— The Age (@theage) September 9, 2022
The front cover of tomorrow's 32-page souvenir tribute to the remarkable life of the Queen pic.twitter.com/2ihLoXbx2f
— Anthony De Ceglie (@AnthDeCeglie) September 9, 2022
Good morning Queensland. Our souvenir edition captures the sombre events of the past 24 hours, as well as all the latest reaction from Queensland. 📰
— The Courier-Mail (@couriermail) September 9, 2022
Read the paper exactly as it was printed here: https://t.co/ImGpDChQaL pic.twitter.com/4B3JyjI0JL
TODAY'S PAPER
— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) September 9, 2022
Read the Herald Sun's Queen Elizabeth II souvenir edition online > https://t.co/fEdl0yuUog
.
.
.#Melbourne #Victoria #FrontPage #newspaper #news #QueenElizabethII pic.twitter.com/PdTmbss76L
SOUVENIR EDITION - THE QUEEN 1926~2022
— The Advertiser (@theTiser) September 9, 2022
Making front page news:
- Vale Queen Elizabeth II
A special 24-page liftout will be printed as part of the Saturday Advertiser on September 10 as a commemorative keepsake.
Read the digital edition> https://t.co/yUGiWLRhS9 pic.twitter.com/0YarWxhfjw
Here’s how The Guardian looked in the UK.
The Guardian front page, Friday 9 September 2022; Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022 pic.twitter.com/5ROqSmVqE1
— The Guardian (@guardian) September 8, 2022
Updated
Closer to home, AAP reports that a Sydney man has allegedly been stabbed in a road rage incident in the city’s west late last night.
Emergency services were called to reports of a driver being stabbed on Parramatta Road in Homebush about 8pm on Friday.
The 36-year-old was involved in a dispute with another motorist, who allegedly stabbed him before fleeing the scene in an unknown vehicle.
Paramedics treated the victim, who was driving a white Mazda 3, for stab wounds.
He was later hospitalised in a serious but stable condition before undergoing surgery.
Police have called for witnesses or anyone with dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward.
Updated
Wreath laying to take place at 10am
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will join the governor general, David Hurley, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, and other dignitaries for a wreath laying ceremony at Parliament House in just over an hour.
My colleague Josh Butler will be there for the ceremony.
Updated
Monuments and buildings light up to honour the Queen
You might have seen the stunning images last night of the Sydney Opera House with a picture of the late Queen Elizabeth projected on to one of its sails.
Other buildings around Australia also lit up to honour the late monarch, with Melbourne’s Flinders Street station turning purple.
Around the globe, from Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue to the Empire State Building in New York, monuments were turned into tributes.
Updated
King Charles III gives first address
The new monarch, King Charles III (it is still odd typing that), gave his first address overnight from a drawing room in Buckingham Palace – the places from where his mother delivered Christmas speeches.
Here’s our story on that. You can also watch the address in full.
Updated
Australians have woken to their first full day under a new head of state, King Charles III, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Thanks for being with us again for Guardian Australia’s live news coverage for this Saturday. I’m Graham Readfearn.
We can expect more details to be confirmed today of the timing of events that the Queen’s death has triggered. Much will depend on the setting of the date for the Queen’s funeral.
There will be a wreath ceremony later today on the Queen’s Terrace at Parliament House in Canberra where the Australian prime minister, Anthony Albanese, will join the governor general, David Hurley, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, and others.
Yesterday evening Albanese spoke to the UK prime minister, Liz Truss, to offer his sincere condolences to the government and people of the United Kingdom.
The two leaders spoke about Queen Elizabeth II’s “life, legacy and dedication to duty”. Albanese also congratulated Truss on her election to the leadership.
Here’s a brief summary of how things unfolded yesterday:
In the early hours of Friday, news broke in Australia of Queen Elizabeth II’s death. Tributes flowed all day from the worlds of politics and government, sport and civil society.
Anthony Albanese, said the loss would be felt deeply in Australia. Queen Elizabeth was the only reigning monarch most Australians had known, he said.
Governor general David Hurley and Albanese will fly to London on Thursday for the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey, the date for which is still to be confirmed.
Federal parliament will be suspended for 15 days, flags will fly at half mast and state parliaments will not meet next week.
Last night a 96-round gun salute was held at Parliament House – one round for each year of the Queen’s life.
The sails of the Sydney Opera House, which Queen Elizabeth II opened in 1973, were illuminated in her honour. So too were monuments in other cities.
Hurley addressed the nation on Friday night, saying the Queen had left a legacy few in history had been able to match. “Her Majesty’s presence in our lives provided a source of comfort and reassurance,” he said. “She was a constant in our lives, a symbol of stability, inspiration and servant leadership.”
The Queen’s death also sparked a public conversation about the future of the monarchy in Australia. Greens leader Adam Bandt wrote on Twitter “we need to become a Republic.”
Updated
