Canberra's local politicians will take the morning off their Parliamentary duties on Thursday to go to see the Queen.
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In an Legislative Assembly first, MLAs of all three parties are set to vote to suspend the Assembly's sittings on Thursday morning to allow members to join well wishers flocking to the royal occasion.
Assembly Speaker, and committed republican, Shane Rattenbury said his office, prompted by the Chief Minister, had written to party leaders advising them of the plans for a royal half day.
''We'll start the sitting day at two o'clock,'' Mr Rattenbury said. ''I've checked with the Clerk and it is a first.''
Mr Rattenbury said his membership of the Australian Republican Movement would not prevent him enjoying the day.
''It's one of those occasions and in my job as Speaker, I often have to go and greet visiting royalty at the airport and welcome them to Australia,'' he said. ''The Queen is the head of the Commonwealth and Australia becoming a republic inside the Commonwealth would be my preferred option.''
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh will reportedly be met by hundreds of schoolchildren when they fly into the capital tomorrow afternoon.
During her 10-day trip, the 85-year-old monarch will meet Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu before opening the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth, where she will also attend the ''Big Aussie BBQ''.
On Thursday, the Queen will give an audience with Governor-General Quentin Bryce before visiting to Floriade. The public will be able to watch the couple sail across Lake Burley Griffin from Government House to Commonwealth Park.