Within an hour of landing in Canberra, King Charles III made a significant address in the Australian Parliament, beginning by paying respects to the traditional owners of the land, the Nungawal people.
“In my many visits to Australia, I have witnessed the courage and hope that have guided the nation’s long and sometimes difficult journey towards reconciliation,” he said.
Reflecting on his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to Australia in 1954, the king noted the warmth she felt from the nation, a sentiment she returned in equal measure.
He also recalled his own initial visit in 1966, which included an eye-opening educational experience in Victoria. “And ladies and gentlemen, what an education it was,” he said.
Charles shared how his school in Scotland seemed remote, but it was the rugged bush country around Mount Buller that truly tested him.
Humorously, he reminisced about his encounters with Australia’s wildlife and the country, as well as his adventures in outback Queensland, where he tried eating “unmentionable” parts of a bull calf.
Australia’s Economic Ascent
Over the six decades since that first visit, Charles mentioned the remarkable continuity and change he had observed in Australia. He praised the nation’s resilience and ability to grow into one of the most multicultural societies in the world.Despite the global cost-of-living crisis, he highlighted the nation’s economic growth and its continued contribution to the global stage.
“This is a country which, for all its size and diversity, never remits to look outward,” he said.
He expressed deep admiration for Australia’s resilience in the face of natural disasters. He mentioned disasters like the Black Summer bushfires, the floods of 2022, and recent tropical cyclones.
“I have always been deeply impressed by the extraordinary bravery and resilience of those who look up look out and in that most Australian ways battle on the way,” he said giving example of firefighters, police, emergency services, Defense personnel, and the many thousands of volunteers.
Australia’s Battle for and Against Climate
The King further noted the increased magnitude and frequency of natural disasters, which he identified as clear signs of climate change.He emphasised Australia’s vulnerability to climate change and the need for international leadership combating it.
In this context, he applauded the recent Global Nature Positive Summit held in Sydney, recognising the private sector’s involvement and stressing the opportunities presented by environmental challenges.
On Global Challenges
The king also discussed global challenges—from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the deepening impacts of climate change and ongoing wars.He called for both ancient and new thinking to navigate this pivotal moment in history, emphasising the importance of unity, empathy, and generosity. Charles also highlighted the role of the Commonwealth, with its diversity and influence, as a powerful force for peace and justice.
Before concluding, King Charles expressed his excitement about meeting with remarkable Australians during his visit, including scientists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders working in fields such as environmental management, healthcare, and Indigenous youth development.
Following the parliamentary reception, the king and queen are expected to attend separate events in the late afternoon.
The king will visit Canberra’s CSIRO National Bushfire Research Centre to meet with firefighters and scientists, while the queen will participate in an event supporting survivors of domestic violence.
Later, the royal couple will travel from the national capital to Sydney in preparation for their visit to the Opera House forecourt on Oct. 22.
