Home Affairs head questioned over why royal portrait ‘replaced’ by ministers

A leading public servant has been asked to explain why portraits of the King or Queen no longer hang in one of the country’s biggest departments.

A leading public servant has refused to confirm whether portraits of Australian ministers replaced the King or Queen in one of the nation’s biggest departments.

Home Affairs secretary Stephanie Foster told a senate estimates committee on Thursday the department had previously been adorned with images of the monarch.

Instead, there were now pictures of ministers, though Ms Foster said she would “have to ask whether or not that it was explicit that that was a replacement” for the Queen.

Leading the questioning, Liberal senator James Patterson asked “did I miss a successful republic referendum in the past 18 months” since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The official Australian portrait of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace.

Another person in the room could be heard stating during the questioning that “I think the Queen passed away, from memory”.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022. She was succeeded by King Charles.

Portraits of the monarch, Australia’s head of state, are on display in Parliament House in Canberra, and were replaced following the Queen’s death.

‘Political point’: Pre-election nerves flare up

Tensions over the upcoming federal election, due to be called in a matter of days, flared up during Thursday morning’s senate estimates hearing.

Senator Nita Green said it was an “unusual estimates program” and dismissed senator Murray Watt and Ms Foster shortly before 10am.

Before the break was called, Senator Patterson he had “further questions for the cross portfolio” that would be brief.

Senator Green said the questions could be put by Senator Patterson next week, to which he replied “so, you are saying estimates will be proceeding next week?”

“What I am saying is we’ve made an agreement that cross portfolio will appear on Monday,” Senator Green replied.

Liberal senator James Patterson asked ‘did I miss a successful republic referendum in the past 18 months?’ Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“Given that’s the case, the advice that I’ve received from the secretariat is that chairs be allowed to move on.”

Speaking over Senator Green, Senator Patterson replied: “I think we all know estimates is not proceeding next week.

“This opportunity provided to ask questions should not be denied to senators.”

The questioning prompted Senator Green to tell the Liberal senator that “what you are doing right now is particularly rude and insulting to me as the chair”.

“I have had discussion with the deputy chair about this specific issue and the committee,” she said.

“So, I just want you to observe that for one moment because I know you’re trying to make a political point.

“I’ve gone to gone to extreme efforts to explain the process we would be undertaking today, but it’s within the rules and the agreements that we’ve made.”

Senator Patterson later said there were “rumours” that the election would be called on Friday, throwing into chaos budget estimate hearings.

Originally published as Home Affairs head questioned over why royal portrait ‘replaced’ by ministers