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page | Senate Daily Summary
No. 1/2008
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On the first day of each sitting week the Senate Daily Summary
outlines the business scheduled for consideration in the Senate. On
subsequent days, it provides a convenient summary of the previous
day's proceedings in the Senate, with links to official Senate
records.
Another document useful in tracking the business of the Senate
is the Dynamic
Red, which records proceedings in the Senate as they
happen.
42nd Parliament
The 42nd Parliament will be opened on 12 February by the Deputy
of the Governor-General in the Senate chamber (see pages 3 and 4
for an outline of the program).
After the opening of the Parliament, Senators Humphries and
Lundy (representing the Australian Capital Territory) and Crossin
and Scullion (representing the Northern Territory) will be sworn
in.
In the afternoon, His Excellency the Governor-General will
address members and senators. The address-in-reply (the Senate's
response to the Governor-General's speech) is programmed for debate
in the Senate during the week.
National Apology to the Stolen Generations
The Government proposes to introduce into the Senate a motion
offering a National Apology to the Stolen Generations. The debate
is scheduled to take place in the morning of Wednesday, 13
February.
Other business
Since the prorogation of the 41st Parliament in October 2007,
more than 200 government documents, primarily annual reports of
departments and agencies, 15 Auditor-General's reports and 12
committee reports have been presented out of sitting. These will be
tabled on 12 February. More than 1500 legislative instruments
made in that time will also be tabled.
During the week the Senate is expected to establish its sitting
pattern and dates for estimates hearings for 2008. The Senate is
also expected to appoint members to Senate committees and move to
reappoint joint committees. In keeping with the budget cycle, the
Senate is also expected to refer particulars of additional
estimates to committees for consideration during the week
commencing 18 February. The programs for
estimates hearings will be available online.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Online
The Senate Daily Summary is available on the Internet
at www.aph.gov.au/senate
It is issued by the Senate Table Office as a convenient summary
of each day's proceedings in the Senate. For a complete account see
the official record, the Journals of the Senate , on the
Internet at http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/pubs/index.htm.
Related resources
The Order of Business (or Senate Red') and the
Dynamic Red (which updates the Order of Business
throughout the sitting day) are also available on the Internet at
www.aph.gov.au/senate
Contact details
Inquiries, comments and suggestions: phone 6277 3021
e-mail: sds@aph.gov.au
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT 12 FEBRUARY 2008
The events and approximate times associated with the Opening of
Parliament on Tuesday, 12 February 2008, will be:
| Morning
Proceedings |
|
9.00am
|
Senators and members assemble in Members' Hall for Welcome to
Country ceremony (duration approx. 45 mins) [restricted to senators
and members and invited guests only televised in
theatrette and on channel 15 of house monitoring system]
|
|
10.15 am
|
Forecourt/Foyer - arrival of the Deputy of the Governor-General,
the Hon Murray Gleeson AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of
Australia, and Mrs Gleeson.
|
|
10.25am
|
Senate and House bells ring.
|
|
10.30 am
|
Senate and House assemble. Deputy directs Black Rod to request
members to attend Senate Chamber.
|
|
10.40 am
|
Senate Chamber The Deputy addresses both Houses and opens the
Parliament. Deputy and members retire.
|
|
10.45 am
|
Senate Chamber - Swearing-in of territory senators.
|
|
10.55 am
(approx.)
|
House of Representatives Chamber - Swearing-in of members by
Deputy.
Senate suspends.
|
|
11.35 am
(approx.)
|
Foyer/Forecourt - The Deputy and Mrs Gleeson depart Parliament
House.
House of Representatives Chamber - Election of Speaker. At
conclusion House suspends.
For the morning proceedings staff and members of the
public are welcome to view proceedings in the public galleries of
the Senate. Seats will be allocated on a first come, first served
basis. The public galleries in the House of Representatives will be
occupied by invited guests but limited seating will be available in
the first and second floor galleries.
|
|
Afternoon Proceedings
|
|
2.00 pm
|
Forecourt His Excellency the Governor-General, Major General
Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC arrives. The Governor-General receives
the Royal Salute and inspects the Guard and Band.
|
|
2.25 pm
|
House bells ring.
|
|
2.30 pm
|
Members assemble and proceed to Members' Hall.
The Speaker and members of the House of Representatives are
presented to the Governor-General.
|
|
2.55 pm
|
Senate bells ring.
|
|
3.00 pm
|
Senate Chamber The Governor-General directs Black Rod to request
members to attend Senate Chamber.
The Governor-General addresses both Houses.
|
|
3.50 pm
(approx.)
|
At the conclusion of the Opening Speech a 19 Gun Salute is fired
from Federation Mall.
After Governor-General is escorted from chamber, members return
to their chamber.
|
|
4.00 pm
|
Members' Hall - Afternoon Tea is served to invited guests.
|
|
4.35 pm
|
Forecourt - The Governor-General departs Parliament House.
For the afternoon proceedings access to galleries in
the Senate Chamber is restricted to invited guests. Events will be
screened on the house monitoring system on channels 15 (full
coverage), 1 (Reps), 2 (Senate) and in the
theatrette.
|
|
4.55pm
|
Senate and House bells ring.
|
|
5.00 pm
|
Senate and House assemble (both chambers open to the
public).
During the various events connected with the
Opening, areas of the building will be closed to all but
participants and invited guests. The public carpark will be open as
usual. There will be short road closures on Parliament Drive. We
ask for the co-operation of all occupants of the building when
areas of the building are closed for ceremonies and
processions.
|
Andrea Griffiths
Usher of the Black Rod |
David Elder
Serjeant-at-Arms |