Attachment A

Option 1

Standing order 1

Proposed amendment to incorporate recognition of an Indigenous 'Welcome to Country' ceremony

(shown thus)

(1) On the first day of the meeting of a session of Parliament, after a general election for the Senate and the House of Representatives, or after a general election for the House of Representatives:

(aa)  There may be an Indigenous ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony before the declaration of the opening of Parliament;

(a)   If there is a President the President shall take the chair at the time specified in the proclamation.

(b)   The Clerk shall read the proclamation calling Parliament together.

(c)   Deputies appointed by the Governor–General shall be introduced by the Usher of the Black Rod to the Senate chamber.

(d)   The Senior Deputy shall direct the Usher of the Black Rod to desire the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives to hear the commission read.

(e)   Members of the House of Representatives shall sit in the Senate chamber and the Clerk shall read the commission.

(f)    The Senior Deputy shall then inform the members of both Houses that the Governor–General will at a future time declare the cause of calling Parliament together.

(g)   The certificate of election or choice of each senator whose term of office has begun since the last sitting of the Senate shall be laid on the table, and each such senator may then make and subscribe the oath or affirmation of allegiance in accordance with the Constitution.

(h)    If the office of President is vacant the Senate shall elect a President.

(2) On the first day of the meeting of a session of Parliament not after a general election for the Senate and the House of Representatives or a general election for the House of Representatives:

If there is a President:

(a) The President shall take the chair at the time specified in the proclamation.

(b)   The Clerk shall read the proclamation calling Parliament together.

(c)   The Governor–General shall be introduced by the Usher of the Black Rod to the Senate chamber.

(d)   The certificate of election or choice of each senator whose term of office has begun since the last sitting of the Senate shall be laid on the table, and each such senator may then make and subscribe the oath or affirmation of allegiance in accordance with the Constitution.

If there is no President:

(e)   The Clerk shall at the time specified in the proclamation read the proclamation calling Parliament together.

(f)    Deputies appointed by the Governor–General shall be introduced by the Usher of the Black Rod to the Senate chamber.

(g)   The Clerk shall read the commission.

(h)   The Senior Deputy shall inform the Senate that the Governor–General will at a future time declare the cause of calling Parliament together.

(i)    The certificate of election or choice of each senator whose term of office has begun since the last sitting of the Senate shall be laid on the table, and each such senator may then make and subscribe the oath or affirmation of allegiance in accordance with the Constitution.

(j)    The Senate shall elect a President.

Option 2

Proposed Resolution of continuing effect to endorse an Indigenous 'Welcome to Country' ceremony

That the Senate is of the view that the declaration of the opening of Parliament should be preceded by an Indigenous ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony.

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