Flags at half-staff as Australia remembers the Queen

Australian flags were flying at half-staff across the country on Friday as the nation expressed its sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton offered his party's condolences to the royal family.

Peter Dutton, Australian opposition leader said "Today a comforting warmth has left the world. One of humanity's brightest lights has gone out. May our memories of our dear Queen inspire the very best in us, just as she drew inspiration from her subjects,".

Australians across the country expressed their grief at the news of the queen's death. Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability in a turbulent era for her country and the world, died Thursday after 70 years on the throne - she was 96.

The palace announced she died at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland, where members of the royal family had rushed to her side after her health took a turn for the worse.