When MPs will get back to work after Queen’s funeral
The Prime Minister has revealed just when MPs and senators will return to parliament following the Queen’s death.
Anthony Albanese has unveiled his plans to send parliamentarians straight back to work after the Queen’s funeral.
MPs and senators will be ordered back to Canberra on September 23, the day after the public holiday for the National Day of Mourning.
The day will be set aside for parliamentarians from all sides of politics to pay their respects to the late monarch.
Parliament will then resume normal programming from Monday, September 26, to replace the sitting days that were scrapped due to Queen Elizabeth’s death.
“This is not a time for partisanship. This is a time for unity of Australia as a nation at a time where we are grieving and acknowledging the contribution of Queen Elizabeth II,” the Prime Minister said.
But in a twist, Mr Albanese won’t be in attendance for the three catch-up days.
Instead he will be jetting to Japan alongside former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull, Tony Abbott and John Howard for Shinzo Abe’s funeral after Japan’s ex-leader was murdered by a gunman two months ago.
“(Parliament) is meeting as soon as practicable given the arrangements that were in place for a long period of time,” Mr Albanese added.
“The Japan relationship is one of our most important, and that is why I will be represented there. It’s not the first time the prime minister hasn’t been there during question time.”
Mr Abe’s funeral will be attended by world leaders, past and present, and an estimated 6000 people.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles will step into the top job while Mr Albanese is overseas.
Asked why two days couldn’t have been set aside this week for the condolence motion, as was done in the UK, Mr Albanese said he was just following protocol.
“What I have done is not to overturn those arrangements,” he said.
A National Day of Mourning for the late monarch has been declared for September 22, the Thursday after Mr Albanese returns from the Queen’s funeral in London.
It will coincide with the national memorial service at Parliament House’s Great Hall.
State and territory leaders have been invited to the service, which will mark the end of Australia’s observation period for the Queen’s death. A minute’s silence will follow at 11am.
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