Tributes have been pouring out across Australia as the nation comes to term with the death of Queen Elizabeth II, marking the end of her 70-year reign.
While the majority of tributes were an outpouring of love, respect, and gratitude for the Queen, Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt has copped it after waiting only five hours to call for the nation to 'move forward'.
"Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II. Our thoughts are with her family and all who loved her," Bandt's statement began.
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He then called for Australia to move on from the monarchy.
"Now Australia must move forward. We need Treaty with First Nations people, and we need to become a Republic," Bandt said.
His social media statement made several see red, with many jumping into the comments to roast the Greens leader for being 'highly insensitive and disrespectful'.
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One social media user said: "Could you say that tomorrow? I’m no fan of the royals but have some respect."
Another commented: "Shame on you Adam, using the Queen's passing to play politics and trying to score political points. I thought you had more class that mate."
A third added: "You truly are a disgrace. Could you not wait even 24hrs before you politicised the death of the longest reigning Monarch? I'm all for a republic, but seriously?"
Another person chipped in with: "Today is not the day to have that discussion. Highly insensitive and disrespectful. Have some decency please."
The Queen's death was announced at 3.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time.
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Prime Minister Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the charge at 4.47am local time, sharing his condolences with the Royal Family and Australia shortly after Her Majesty passed last night (Thursday, September 8).
The Queen spent her final moments at her Balmoral residence in Scotland with her family around her.
"There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: 'Grief is the price we pay for love'," Albanese said.
He added that the passing of Queen Elizabeth II is 'the end of an era'.
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"Today marks the end of an era - the close of the second Elizabethan age," he said.
"This time of mourning will pass, but the deep respect and warm regard in which Australians have always held for Her Majesty, will never fade. May she rest in eternal peace."
The PM confirmed that Parliament would not sit as scheduled next week and would be suspended for 15 days, as per ABC News.
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The Prime Minister, Cabinet and the Governor General's website would also switch to obituary format while informing Australians of upcoming events commemorating the longest-serving British Monarch.
Governor-General David Hurley described the Queen as ‘remarkable’.
"I join with all Australians in mourning Her Majesty The Queen's passing and in remembering her lifetime of tireless service. She was a truly remarkable person," he said.
However, he said he would have more to say in the national address this evening.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton also paid tribute, noting there’s never been a ‘more dignified monarch, a more dutiful leader, or a more decent human than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’.
Topics: News, Royal Family, The Queen, Australia, Politics
Charisa Bossinakis