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170788
Fri, 03/25/2011 - 12:04
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http://m.oananews.org//node/170788
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Thousands tipped to turn out for the Queen
SYDNEY, March 25 (AAP)- More than 10,000 West Australians are expected to line the streets of Perth to get a glimpse of the Queen when she arrives to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later this year.
Queen Elizabeth's visit was confirmed on Friday and will be her first visit to Australia since 2006, when she opened the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Her Majesty would be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.
"Confirmation of the royal visit is an important and exciting development in the preparations for CHOGM 2011," she said in a statement.
WA Premier Colin Barnett said the Queen's private secretary was in Perth about three weeks ago to discuss the royal visit as well as what the program may include.
"The plans at this stage include two very public events where the Queen will be there and people will have a chance to see her and hopefully many will have a chance to say hello," he told reporters.
Mr Barnett said there will be some street closures in the Perth CBD with the motorcades carrying world leaders travelling between the convention centre and a new facility being built in King's Park specifically for CHOGM.
"Streets will be closed but it will also give the public a great opportunity to see what's happening because they will be able to line the foot paths," he said.
"I think 10,000 West Australians will take part in this event."
Ms Gillard said this would be the biggest international event ever held in Perth and was a unique opportunity to showcase Perth and Western Australia as modern, world-class destinations.
While Mr Barnett said CHOGM would rival the Perth Commonwealth Games in 1962 and Australia II winning the America's Cup.
"This is a big deal and WA will very much be the centre of world politics and world media," he said.
Commonwealth leaders meet at CHOGM every two years to discuss global and Commonwealth issues and to agree on collective policies and initiatives.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said he thought Western Australians would welcome the Queen warmly.
"She is very fondly regarded by Western Australians and Australians," he told reporters in Perth.
"The view of the government is that at some time in the future Australia should move to become a republic and I share that view.
"But I think there's also a view in the Australian community that the appropriate time to do that is when Her Majesty finishes her reign.
"But I think both affection, respect and regard are the way in which the Australian public view Her Majesty the Queen," Mr Smith said.
Queen Elizabeth's visit was confirmed on Friday and will be her first visit to Australia since 2006, when she opened the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Her Majesty would be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh.
"Confirmation of the royal visit is an important and exciting development in the preparations for CHOGM 2011," she said in a statement.
WA Premier Colin Barnett said the Queen's private secretary was in Perth about three weeks ago to discuss the royal visit as well as what the program may include.
"The plans at this stage include two very public events where the Queen will be there and people will have a chance to see her and hopefully many will have a chance to say hello," he told reporters.
Mr Barnett said there will be some street closures in the Perth CBD with the motorcades carrying world leaders travelling between the convention centre and a new facility being built in King's Park specifically for CHOGM.
"Streets will be closed but it will also give the public a great opportunity to see what's happening because they will be able to line the foot paths," he said.
"I think 10,000 West Australians will take part in this event."
Ms Gillard said this would be the biggest international event ever held in Perth and was a unique opportunity to showcase Perth and Western Australia as modern, world-class destinations.
While Mr Barnett said CHOGM would rival the Perth Commonwealth Games in 1962 and Australia II winning the America's Cup.
"This is a big deal and WA will very much be the centre of world politics and world media," he said.
Commonwealth leaders meet at CHOGM every two years to discuss global and Commonwealth issues and to agree on collective policies and initiatives.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said he thought Western Australians would welcome the Queen warmly.
"She is very fondly regarded by Western Australians and Australians," he told reporters in Perth.
"The view of the government is that at some time in the future Australia should move to become a republic and I share that view.
"But I think there's also a view in the Australian community that the appropriate time to do that is when Her Majesty finishes her reign.
"But I think both affection, respect and regard are the way in which the Australian public view Her Majesty the Queen," Mr Smith said.
