The 48th Parliament will be opened on 22 July at 10.30 am by the Deputy of the Governor-General in the Senate.
After the opening, state and territory senators will be sworn in and the Senate will elect its President.
In the afternoon, Her Excellency the Governor-General will address members and senators. The address-in-reply (the Senate's response to the Governor-General's speech) is scheduled for debate in the Senate during the week.
Wednesday, 23 July
Senators Whiteaker, Blyth and Mulholland will give their first speeches
Government bills
The Government has scheduled bills for debate this week as follows:
Thursday, 24 July
- Health Legislation Amendment (Improved Medicare Integrity and Other Measures) Bill 2025
- Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Energy Regulator Separation) Bill 2025
- Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) Bill 2025
Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2025
Private senators’ bills
Wednesday, 23 July
Thursday, 24 July
Source: https://www.pmc.gov.au/resource-centre/government/draft-legislation-program-senate
Committee membership
The Senate is expected to appoint members to committees.
Documents presented after the Senate adjourned on 26 March will be tabled on 22 July and will be available for debate on Thursday, 24 July.
Sitting pattern
During the week the Senate is expected to establish its sitting pattern for the remainder of the year and dates for estimates hearings.
Address-in-reply
The address-in-reply (the Senate's response to the Governor-General's opening speech) is scheduled for debate in the Senate during the week.
Condolences
Tuesday, 22 July
- His Holiness, Pope Francis
Wednesday, 23 July
Thursday, 24 July