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Opening of the 45th Parliament

Tuesday, 30 August 2016

An outline of proceedings

Opening of the 44th Parliament
  • Welcome to Country ceremony conducted by local Indigenous people.
  • Arrival of the Deputy of the Governor-General and Justice Kiefel.
  • Proclamation summoning Parliament read by the Clerk of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives in the respective chambers.
  • Deputy introduced by the Usher of the Black Rod to the Senate chamber.
  • Usher of the Black Rod directed to summon the Members of the House of Representatives.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives assembled in the Senate chamber
  • With members assembled in the Senate chamber, commission appointing the deputies read by the Clerk of the Senate.
  • Deputy announces that the Governor-General will, at a later time, declare the cause of calling Parliament together (give the opening speech).
  • Members return to the House.

In the Senate

  • Certificates of election for all senators presented by the Clerk of the Senate.
  • Senators sworn-in by the Deputy.
  • President of the Senate elected.
  • Sitting of the Senate suspended.

In the House of Representatives

  • Returns to the writs presented by the Clerk of the House.
  • Members sworn in by Justice Kiefel.
  • Speaker of the House of Representatives elected.
  • Sitting of the House suspended.

Order of proceedings 

  • Arrival of the Governor-General in the Forecourt and inspection of the Guard.
  • Presentation of the Presiding Officers to the Governor-General in the Members Hall.

Serjeant-at-Arms leading members of the House of Representatives to the Senate chamber
  • Sitting of both Houses resumes at a designated time.
  • Governor-General announced in the Senate chamber.
  • Usher of the Black Rod directed to summon the Members of the House of Representatives.
  • With members assembled, the Governor-General delivers his opening speech.
  • A 19 gun salute is conducted at the conclusion of the speech.

  • Departure of the Governor-General from the Senate chamber.
  • President takes the chair.
  • Sittings suspended.

Photogallery

Smoking ceremony

Smoking ceremony

Smoking ceremony

Smoking ceremony

Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-Arms lead Welcome to Country performers into the Great Hall

Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-Arms lead Welcome to Country performers into the Great Hall

Welcome to Country ceremony in the Great Hall

Welcome to Country ceremony in the Great Hall

Usher of the Black Rod en route to summon members of the House of Representatives to the Senate chamber

Usher of the Black Rod en route to summon members of the House of Representatives to the Senate chamber

Usher of the Black Rod approaching the House of Representatives chamber

Usher of the Black Rod approaching the House of Representatives chamber

Serjeant-at-Arms leading members to the Senate chamber

Serjeant-at-Arms leading members to the Senate chamber

Serjeant-at-Arms leading members into the Senate chamber

Serjeant-at-Arms leading members into the Senate chamber

Swearing-in of state senators

Swearing-in of state senators

Senator the Hon Stephen Parry elected as President of the Senate

Senator the Hon Stephen Parry elected as President of the Senate

Swearing-in of members of the House of Representatives

Swearing-in of members of the House of Representatives

The Honourable Tony Smith MP elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives

The Honourable Tony Smith MP elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives

The Governor-General inspects the Guard

The Governor-General inspects the Guard

The Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-Arms escort the Governor-General

The Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-Arms escort the Governor-General

The Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-Arms escort the Governor-General

The Usher of the Black Rod and the Serjeant-at-Arms escort the Governor-General

The Usher of the Black Rod announces the Governor-General

The Usher of the Black Rod announces the Governor-General

The Usher of the Black Rod arriving to summon members to the Senate chamber for the Governor-General's opening address

The Usher of the Black Rod arriving to summon members to the Senate chamber for the Governor-General's opening address

Members of the House of Representatives being led by the Serjeant-at-Arms

Members of the House of Representatives being led by the Serjeant-at-Arms

Members of both Houses assembled to hear the Governor-General's speech

The Governor-General delivers his opening speech

The Governor-General delivers his opening speech

The Governor-General delivers his opening speech

The official party

The official party

Departure of the Governor-General

Departure of the Governor-General

 
 
Photos courtesy of Auspic
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