Barry Humphries state funeral a joint authorities affair

Legendary Australian satirist Barry Humphries will probably be honoured with a state funeral collectively hosted by the Victorian, NSW and federal governments.

Humphries died final month at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney aged 89 following issues from hip surgical procedure stemming from a fall earlier this yr.

In the UK for the coronation of King Charles III, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed Humphries would obtain a state funeral which the three governments would co-host.

“He is somebody who gave an unlimited quantity of enjoyment to generations of Australians,” Mr Albanese informed British channel Speak TV.

“I understand how warmly he was regarded by folks in Australia and the UK.”

No particulars had been supplied on when or the place the funeral will probably be held.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews mentioned he was not conscious a three-government tribute was in practice for the Melbourne-born entertainer.

“I can not affirm for you the place the service will probably be, or the place the funeral will probably be,” Mr Andrews informed reporters at state parliament on Wednesday.

“So far as I do know, that is not settled and we’re nonetheless speaking to the household.”

The NSW authorities additionally appeared to verify negotiations remained underneath manner.

“Because the Prime Minister mentioned, governments will work with the Humphries household to honour the life and legacy of the beloved Australian,” a spokeswoman informed AAP in an announcement.

Humphries delighted and outraged audiences for greater than half a century and was a founding patron of the Melbourne Worldwide Comedy Competition, resulting in it identify its annual prize for many excellent act after him in 2000.

Mr Albanese declined to weigh in on whether or not the pageant “cancelled” Humphries by stripping his identify from its annual award over controversial remarks he made about transgender folks.

The prime minister as a substitute remembered Humphries as a quintessential Australian character, who introduced a way of Australian larrikinism to his satirical characters of Dame Edna Everage, Sir Les Patterson and Sandy Stone.

“Barry Humphries may solely have come from Australia. What Barry Humphries would say is (Australians like) ‘taking the piss out of ourselves’,” Mr Albanese mentioned.

“He did it so properly and for such a protracted time frame, so it was a giant loss for the Australian arts group.”

The prime minister’s workplace has been contacted for additional remark.

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