Australians are awaking to the news Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, has died aged 96.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement saying she “died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon” UK time.
Prince Charles is now king of the United Kingdom and Australia, and the Duchess of Cornwall is now Queen Consort.
Tributes are flowing in from around the world and flags are flying at half-mast.
As Giselle Bastin writes, despite her advanced age and the many preparations in place for this moment, it still seems incredible this woman who has been Australia’s queen for the duration of most Australians’ lives is no longer with us. Today Bastin explores the Queen’s relationship to Australia – a country she liked, and one which will be closely observing the formalities and ceremony of her passing.
Laura Clancy who researches the British Monarchy takes a look at the new Elizabethan age – from when Elizabeth took the throne in 1952, to a very different world in 2022. She says the Queen’s death is bound to prompt reflection on Britain’s past, its present and future.
And Sean Lang, lecturer in history from the UK says Elizabeth was a moderniser who steered the British monarchy into the 21st century. “Her wisdom and unceasing sense of duty meant she was widely viewed with a combination of respect, esteem, awe and affection, which transcended nations, classes and generations.”
Elizabeth reigned across multiple countries and seven decades. Australia, Britain and other parts of the world will now enter a period of reckoning with their colonial past and their national identity. What is for certain, writes Bastin, is Elizabeth II’s reign is one we are unlikely ever to see again.
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Alexandra Hansen
Deputy Editor and Chief of Staff
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Giselle Bastin, Flinders University
The queen’s visits to Australia from 1954 to 2011 offer a snapshot of the changing relationship Australians have had with their sovereign and with the monarchy.
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Laura Clancy, Lancaster University
Britain has gone through unimaginable change culturally and politically during Elizabeth’s 70-year reign.
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Sean Lang, Anglia Ruskin University
Elizabeth II was a safe pair of hands for the British monarchy in a turbulent and changing era.
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Brendan Grigg, Flinders University; Hossein Esmaeili, Flinders University
Your rights as a renter in Australia vary according to where you live. Here’s what you need to know.
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Thomas Longden, Australian National University; Richard Norman, Curtin University; Sotiris Vardoulakis; Tom Kompas, The University of Melbourne
Every year, air pollution kills 2,600 Australians. Australia’s new climate policy regime must account for this and other harms climate change wreaks on society.
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Anthony Albanese beats his drum about transparency but has rejected calls for more light to be shed on national cabinet meetings
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Helen Young, Deakin University
Recently, the cast of The Rings of Power announced a statement of solidarity against the relentless racist abuse against actors of colour on the show.
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Politics + Society
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra
Simon Holmes à Court discusses Climate 200, the VIC & NSW state elections and the teals.
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Michael O'Keefe, La Trobe University
The Foreign Minister’s focus on the Pacific is already beginning to pay off with new security treaties and increased military collaboration with neighbouring Pacific nations.
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Health + Medicine
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Sarah Hellewell, Curtin University
We know very little about how long COVID affects the body, and why some people develop ongoing symptoms and others don’t. But emerging evidence offers clues.
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Chris Brennan-Jones, Curtin University
Seashells don’t make the noise of the ocean. Here’s what’s really going on.
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Science + Technology
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Kate Mannell, Deakin University; James Meese, RMIT University
Research shows doomscrolling can be harmful. These experts have found evidence-based tips that can help you help yourself.
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Milo Barham, Curtin University; Matej Lipar, ZRC SAZU
Southern Australia’s Nullarbor Plain is offering up evidence of Earth’s past landscapes and ecosystems, exceptionally preserved for millions of years.
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Tim Ryan Maloney, Griffith University; Adam Brumm, Griffith University; Adhi Oktaviana, Griffith University; India Ella Dilkes-Hall, The University of Western Australia; Maxime Aubert, Griffith University; Melandri Vlok, University of Sydney; Renaud Joannes-Boyau, Southern Cross University
An astonishing discovery from the oldest known grave in Southeast Asia has revised medical history – the previous known amputation surgery was just 7,000 years ago.
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Environment + Energy
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Emily Finch, Monash University; Melanie Finch, James Cook University
If mining workplaces are anything to go by, the clean energy sector will have their work cut out for them to retain women in the workforce.
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Trivess Moore, RMIT University; Nicola Willand, RMIT University
Past claims about the costs of 5-star and then 6-star home energy ratings were overblown. We are hearing similar claims about the new 7-star standard, but good design makes it a good deal for owners.
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Melanie Pill, Australian National University
Developing countries want industrialised countries to pay reparations for loss and damage caused by climate change. Even with disasters ramping up, wealthy nations are resisting.
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Jake M Robinson, Flinders University; Christopher Daniels, University of South Australia; Martin Breed, Flinders University
Exposure to diverse microbes boosts our immunity, while spending time in nature restores wellbeing. And COVID reminds us of the risks of new viruses when we intrude on and degrade natural habitats.
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Arts + Culture
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Adrian Danks, RMIT University
Our expert shares the five films from the Melbourne International Film Festival that have stuck with him.
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Books + Ideas
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Sandra Phillips, The University of Queensland
Fewer than 1% of Australian publishing professionals identify as First Nations. We need better representation to authentically represent First Nations voices. Sandra Phillips explains why – and how.
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John Quiggin, The University of Queensland
Labor MP Daniel Mulino argues that the capacity of the state to undertake income redistribution has reached its limits, but that the need for social insurance continues to grow.
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Business + Economy
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Ilan Noy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
A proposed new airport at Tarras would affect the entire South Island economy. Twelve years on from the Canterbury earthquakes, have the implications of such a project been properly thought through?
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