Milestones |
Details |
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6 February |
Death of
Senator Jim Molan Following
Senator Jim Molan’s (Lib, NSW) death on
16 January, the Senate
and the House
of Representatives move condolence motions.[2] Senator Molan was twice chosen to
fill vacancies in the Senate. Prior to entering politics, Senator Molan
served a 40-year military career and rose to Major General. |
6 February |
Matter of
privilege not referred The Speaker
finds no prima facie evidence to refer Scott Morrison
(Lib, Cook, NSW) to the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests for
deliberately misleading the House.[3]
Adam Bandt (AG,
Melbourne, Vic) asked the Speaker to consider if the Bell inquiry report and
Mr Morrison’s statement raised a matter of privilege.[4] |
7 February |
Visit by New
Zealand Prime Minister New Zealand Prime
Minister Chris Hipkins and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
(ALP, Grayndler, NSW) participate in a joint press conference. This is
Hipkins’ first international visit since being appointed Prime Minister.[5] |
8 February |
Visit by
Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
(ALP, Grayndler, NSW) welcomes the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Taur Matan
Ruak, to Parliament as a guest of Government.[6] |
14 to 16
February |
Visit by
Prime Minister of Vanuatu Prime Minister of Vanuatu
Ishmael Kalsakau meets Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
(ALP, Grayndler, NSW) for bilateral talks. |
17 February |
Suspicious
package leads to partial evacuation At approximately
12:45 pm, ACT Policing receive a call about a suspicious package at
Parliament House. The matter is resolved without incident.[7] |
8 March |
National
Apology to the Stolen Generations The Senate
acknowledges the 15th anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s (ALP,
Griffith, Qld) National Apology to the Stolen Generations on 13 February
2008.[8] |
8 March |
Unveiling of
Lyons and Tangney statues A
commemorative sculpture of Dame Enid Lyons and Dame Dorothy Tangney is
unveiled in the National Triangle (Parliamentary
Triangle). It is the first statue of Australian women displayed in this
iconic area.[9] |
8 March |
Australian
flag at Parliament House The Presiding
Officers release a joint statement about the ‘unacceptable condition’ of the
Australian flag flying above Parliament House. Usually the flag is changed
every 4 weeks, however poor weather conditions and scheduled maintenance had
caused delays.[10]
On 11 March, industrial climbers complete an 8-hour climb to replace the
flag.[11] |
21 March |
Condolence
motion for John Williams Sattler The House
of Representatives moves a condolence motion for former rugby league
great John Sattler, who died on 20 March.[12] |
22 March |
Visit by
Prime Minister of Samoa Samoa’s Prime
Minister, Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
(ALP, Grayndler, NSW) participate in bilateral talks.[13] |
23 March |
Voice
referendum wording announced The Government
announces the wording of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum
question: ’A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First
Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?’[14] |
28 March |
House
attendant injured during a division A House
attendant is injured as seven MPs try to exit the chamber as the doors are
being locked during a division. The following day, the Speaker notes he ‘will
not tolerate’ this behaviour and the MPs involved apologise.[15] |
28–29 March |
Senate sits
until 4:14 am The Senate stays
back well into the next morning debating the Safeguard
Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022. The Senate adjourns at 4:14 am
and resumes less than five hours later at 9:00 am.[16] |
30 March |
Constitution
Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023 introduced The
Attorney-General Mark
Dreyfus (ALP, Isaacs, Vic) introduces the Constitution
Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) 2023.[17] |
1 April |
Aston
by-election ALP candidate, Mary Doyle,
wins the Aston by-election, caused by Alan Tudge’s (Lib, Aston, Vic)
resignation.[18]
It is the first time in more than a century that a government has won a seat
from the opposition at a by-election.[19] |
5 April |
Liberal Party
to oppose Voice Referendum Opposition
Leader Peter
Dutton (Lib, Dickson, Qld), announces the Liberal Party position in
opposing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.[20]
The Nationals announced their opposition to the proposal on 28 November 2022.[21] |
11 April |
Julian Leeser
resigns from frontbench Following the
Liberal Party’s decision to oppose an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, Shadow
Attorney-General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians Julian Leeser
(Lib, Berowra, NSW) resigns from the Liberal frontbench.[22] |
17 April |
Evacuation in
Parliament House The Senate side
of Parliament House is evacuated due to smoke detected in some press gallery
offices.[23] |
18 April |
Coalition
Shadow Ministry Changes Leader of the
Opposition, Peter
Dutton (Lib, Dickson, Qld), announces a Shadow Ministry reshuffle,
following Julian
Leeser’s (Lib, Berowra, NSW) resignation from the shadow frontbench.
Senator Jacinta
Nampijinpa Price (Nats, NT) becomes Shadow Minister for Indigenous
Australians and Senator Michaelia Cash
(LP, WA) becomes Shadow Attorney-General.
[24] |
6–7 May |
Parliament House
celebrates King Charles III and the Queen Consort Coronation Australia’s
Federation Guard conducts a 21-gun salute on the Parliament House Forecourt
on 7 May, and Parliament House is lit with Royal purple.[25] |
8 May |
Parliament
House celebrates 35th anniversary A new
exhibition, ‘Turning the Key: Opening Australia’s Parliament House’, marks 35
years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opened Australia’s
permanent Parliament House.[26] |
9 May |
Address of Congratulation
to King Charles III The Prime
Minister presents an Address of Congratulation to His Majesty King Charles
III.[27] |
9 May |
Condolence
motion for John Kerin The House
of Representatives and the Senate
move condolence motions for former Member John Kerin (ALP,
Macarthur/Werriwa, NSW) who died on 28 March. Kerin was a former Cabinet
Minister and Minister for Primary Industries for much of the 1980s. |
9 May |
Student
protest Approximately
150 students protest outside of Parliament House before the Federal Budget.[28] |
9 May |
2023 Budget The Treasurer,
Dr Jim Chalmers
(ALP, Rankin, Qld), delivers the 2023 Budget, his second.[29] The Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton
(Lib, Dickson, Qld) gives his budget
reply speech two days later on 11 May.[30] |
10 May |
Condolence motions moved The House
of Representatives moves a condolence motion to Indigenous leader and
land rights advocate Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Allan Gyngell, John Olsen, Barry
Humphries, and Robert Maguire. |
10 May |
Regional
budget statement The Minister for
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King
(ALP, Ballarat, Vic), makes a ministerial statement regarding rural and
regional budget outcomes.[31] |
11 May |
Mary Doyle’s
first speech Mary Doyle
(ALP, Aston, Vic) delivers her first speech in the House of Representatives.[32] She is the first woman to represent Aston and the first
MP sworn-in pledging allegiance to King Charles III and his heirs. |
11 May |
Question Time
extended Question time
runs longer than usual in the House of Representatives, with 30 questions
asked over 1 hour and 53 minutes.[33] |
12 May |
Joint
Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum
Advisory Report The Joint
Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum
delivers its Advisory Report on the Constitution Alteration (Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023. The report recommends that ‘the [Bill]
be passed unamended’.[34] |
18 May |
Stuart Robert
resigns Stuart Robert
(Lib, Fadden, Qld) announces his resignation from parliament, triggering a
by-election in Fadden.[35]
Mr Robert was a Minister in various portfolios, including Human Services,
Government Services, and Assistant Treasurer. |
22 May |
Condolence
motions for Tony Staley Condolence
motions in the House
of Representatives and the Senate
pay tribute to former Minister Tony Staley (Lib,
Chisholm, Vic), who died on 3 May. |
23 May |
Ministry
changes The Prime
Minister announces changes to the Ministry.[36] |
25 May |
Condolence
motion for Frank McGovern The House
of Representatives moves a condolence motion for Frank McGovern, who died
on 24 May.[37]
McGovern was the last surviving crew member of HMAS Perth, which was
sunk at the Battle of Sunda Strait in 1942.[38] |
26 May to 3 June |
National
Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week The Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander flags fly at Parliament House to mark National
Sorry Day (26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June).[39] Parliament House is illuminated
with artwork inspired by Central Australia on 29–31 May, special ‘Yeribee’
Indigenous Experience tours are run, and there is a stargazing event on the
forecourt.[40] |
31 May |
Condolence
motion for Bruce Child The Speaker
informs the House
of Representatives of the passing of former
Senator Bruce
Childs (ALP, NSW) on 4 May. The Senate moves a condolence motion on 13 June. |
12 June |
Writs issued
for Fadden by-election The Speaker
issues writs for the Fadden by-election, to be held on Saturday 15 July. This
is required to replace Stuart Robert
(Lib, Fadden, Qld), who resigned from parliament.[41] |
13 June |
Statements on
Hunter Valley bus crash The Prime
Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Dan Repacholi
(ALP, Hunter, NSW) pay tribute to the victims of the Hunter Valley bus crash
at Greta.[42] |
14 June |
Condolence
motion for Joy McKean The House of
Representatives moves a condolence motion for Joy McKean, ‘the queen of
Australian country music’, who died on 25 May. Along with her husband Slim
Dusty, MccKean created more than 100 albums and won 45 Golden Guitars.[43] |
15 June |
Home Affairs
Bill 2023 A Bill to
terminate the lease for a potential Russian embassy site in Canberra passes
both houses of Parliament, Governor-General David Hurley issues Royal Assent
on the same day.[44] |
16 June |
Senate sits
into the morning The Senate stays back until
4:16 am the next morning debating the Constitution
Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023.[45] |
19 June |
David Van
resigns from Liberal Party Senator David Van (Ind,
Vic) resigns from the Liberal Party and moves to the crossbench, after
Senator Lidia
Thorpe (Ind, Vic) and former Senator Amanda Stoker
(Lib, Qld) made allegations against him.[46] |
19 June |
Constitution
Alteration Bill passes The Constitution
Alteration (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice) Bill 2023 passes
the Senate. The referendum proposing this Constitutional amendment is planned
for later in the year. |
21 June |
Condolence
motion for Anthony Woods The House of
Representatives moves a condolence motion for Western Australia Police Force
Constable Anthony Woods, who was killed in the line of duty.[47] |
22 June |
Condolence
motion for Alfred Neal The House of
Representatives moves a condolence motion for respected Aboriginal elder
Alfred Neal.[48] |
22 June |
Critical
Minerals Strategy Minister for
Resources, Madeleine
King (ALP, Brand, WA) makes a ministerial statement on the Critical
Minerals Strategy 2023–2030.[49] |
22 June |
Canadian
bushfires The Prime
Minister and Leader of the Opposition make statements addressing the Canadian
bushfires and thanking the hundreds of Australians assisting in the effort.[50] |
3–9 July |
NAIDOC Week:
For Our Elders Parliament House
is illuminated with the imagery of Central Australia while numerous tours and
public events are also held. Parliament House flew the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander flags from 2–9 July.[51] |
7 July |
Royal Commission into the
Robodebt Scheme report tabled The Government receives the
Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme final report and moves to consider
its recommendations.[52] |
15 July |
Fadden
by-election Following Stuart Robert’s (Lib, Fadden, Qld)
resignation, a by-election is held for the electorate of Fadden, where Cameron Caldwell
is elected.[53] |
31 July |
Condolence
motions for Simon Crean and Ewen Jones The House of
Representatives and Senate move condolence motions for former ALP leader and
Cabinet Minister Simon
Crean (ALP, Hotham, Vic) who died on 25 June.[54] The Senate
and House
of Representatives also move condolence motions for former MP Ewen Jones (Lib,
Herbert, Qld), who died on 13 July. |
1–2 August |
Condolence
motions for Arthur Dean The House
of Representatives and the Senate
move condolence motions for former member Arthur Gordon Dean
(Lib, Herbert, Qld), who died on 27 July. |
3 August |
Bridget
Archer crosses the floor Bridget Archer
(Lib, Bass, Tas) crosses the floor to oppose a Coalition motion regarding the
Indigenous Voice to Parliament. |
6–7 August |
Parliament
House shows Matildas support Parliament House
is illuminated in green and gold recognising Australia’s match against
Denmark in the women’s football World Cup.[55] |
8 August |
Protest
outside Parliament House More than 100
people gather to protest the potential health and climate impacts of Middle
Arm development in the Northern Territory.[56]
Parliamentarians David
Pocock (Ind, ACT), Monique Ryan
(Ind, Kooyong, Vic), and Zali Steggall
(Ind, Warringah, NSW) also attend.[57] |
8 August |
Matter of
Privileges Following the
Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme releasing its report, Stephen Bates
(AG, Brisbane, Qld) unsuccessfully moves that Scott Morrison
(Lib, Cook, NSW) be referred to the Standing Committee of Privileges and
Members’ Interests.[58] |
10 August |
Portrait of
Kevin Rudd unveiled Former Prime
Minister Kevin Rudd’s (ALP, Griffith, Qld)
official portrait is unveiled at Parliament House, becoming the newest
addition to the Historic Memorials Collection.[59] |
10 August |
Commonwealth
Radioactive Waste Facility Minister for
Resources, Madeleine
King (ALP, Brand, WA), announces that the Government will no longer
pursue Napandee (near Kimba) as a potential site for the proposed
Commonwealth radioactive waste facility.[60] |
10 August |
Apology to
Robodebt victims The Minister for
Government Services Bill Shorten
(ALP, Maribyrnong, Vic) moves a motion accepting the findings of the Royal
Commission into the Robodebt Scheme report, including an apology to the
victims.[61] |
30 August |
Referendum
date announced The Prime
Minister announces the referendum proposing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament
will take place on 14 October.[62] |
4 September |
Protest at
Parliament House More than 100
pharmacists protest outside Parliament House against the 60-day dispensing
rule changes.[63]
The Speaker also ejects a group of pharmacists from the public gallery during
Question Time due to multiple interjections.[64] |
4 September |
Cameron
Caldwell’s first speech Cameron Caldwell
(Lib, Fadden, Qld) delivers his first speech in the House of Representatives
following his recent by-election victory.[65] |
5 September |
Maria Kovacic’s
first speech Maria Kovacic
(Lib, NSW) delivers her first speech in the Senate, having filled the casual
vacancy caused by Senator Jim Molan’s death.[66] |
6 September |
Golden wattle
planted at Parliament House The Presiding Officers plant the
first golden wattles in the Parliament House native gardens to celebrate the
building’s 35th anniversary.[67] |
6 September |
Question Time In a departure
from usual Question Time procedures, an unsuccessful dissent motion is moved
against the Speaker’s ruling.[68] |
8 September |
Marise Payne
announces her retirement Senator Marise Payne (Lib,
NSW) announces she will retire on 30 September.[69] Having commenced in 1997, she is
Australia’s longest-serving female senator.[70]
She will deliver her valedictory speech on 13 September.[71] |
11 September |
Anniversary
of September 11 Attacks The Prime
Minister and Leader of the Opposition both acknowledge the 22nd anniversary
of the September 11 attacks.[72] |
11 September |
Protest at
Parliament House A protest occurs
outside of Parliament House in response to Senator Alex Antic
(Lib, SA) hosting a forum against trans-gender rights.[73] |
11 September |
Housing
Australia Future Fund Agreement After months of
negotiations, the Australian Greens agree to support the Government’s social
and affordable housing package, allowing the Bill to pass the Senate.[74] |
11 September |
Referendum
Writs Issued The Governor-General
issues the writs for the Voice to Parliament referendum, following a request
by the Prime Minister.[75] |
13 September |
National Flag
Day The Speaker
hosts a National Flag Day event, incorporating a display of the Parliament
House Australian flag in the Great Hall.[76] |
13 September |
Parliament
House Gift Shop Reopens The Parliament
House Gift Shop reopens after its first refurbishment in 27 years.[77] |
13 September |
Vocational
Education Minister for
Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor
(ALP, Gorton, Vic) makes a ministerial
statement regarding vocational education and training reforms.[78] |
17 September |
Parliamentary
Librarian Dr Dianne Heriot
concludes her term as the 10th Parliamentary Librarian, after 11 years in the
role.[79]
Steven Fox commences as the new Parliamentary Librarian on 18 September.[80] |
8 October |
Parliament
House Open Day Parliament House
hosts an Open Day to celebrate its 35th anniversary. The event includes music,
performances, crafts, and a RAAF aerobatic demonstration.[81] |
9 October |
Parliament
House support of Israel In support of
Israel, Parliament House is illuminated with the colours of the Israeli flag.[82] |
14 October |
Indigenous
Voice to Parliament Referendum The referendum proposing
an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is held, resulting in a majority ‘no’ vote.
The ACT is the only jurisdiction to return a majority ‘yes’ result.[83] |
16 October |
Return of
Native Bees to Parliament House The native
stingless beehives return to Parliament House. During the autumn and winter
months the bees temporarily move to NSW Government House. |
17 October |
My First
Speech Winners Visit Parliament House The three
winners from the ‘My First Speech’ competition visit Parliament to deliver
their speeches. The Speaker hosts the event in the Presiding Officers
Exhibition Area.[84] |
17–18 October |
Leaders of
Malta and Fiji visit Parliament Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (ALP,
Grayndler, NSW) receives Maltese President George Vella[85] and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni
Rabuka[86]
at Parliament House for bilateral talks with the respective leaders. |
19 October |
Bridget
Archer crosses the floor Bridget Archer
(Lib, Bass, Tas) crosses the floor to oppose a Coalition motion regarding a
Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities.[87] |
19 October |
Visit by
President of Lithuania Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
(ALP, Grayndler, NSW) meets with Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda in
Canberra. This is the first visit by a Lithuanian President to Australia in
17 years.[88] |
22 October |
Passing of
Bill Hayden Australia mourns
the passing of former Governor-General Bill Hayden on 21
October, with the Parliament House flag flown at half-mast. A State Funeral
is held on 3 November, with a condolence motion moved in the Senate on 28
November.[89] |
25 October |
ANIP 30th
Anniversary Showcase The Australian
National Internships Program 30th Anniversary Showcase is held at Parliament
House, bringing together over 2,700 participating students.[90] |
30 October |
Faith-Based
Higher Education Summit The inaugural
Faith-based Higher Education Summit is held at Parliament House, sponsored by
the Minister for Education, Jason Clare (ALP,
Blaxland, NSW).[91] |
30 October |
Michelle
Grattan gives Speaker’s Lecture Distinguished
political journalist Michelle Grattan delivers the 2023 Speaker’s Lecture at
Parliament House. Ms Grattan’s speech explores challenges and opportunities
for Australia’s current political system.[92] |
6 November |
Greens
senators stage Question Time walkout During Question
Time, Senator Mehreen
Faruqi (AG, NSW) leads her party colleagues in a walkout, protesting the
Government’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.[93] |
8 November |
Senate
President Issues Gag Order The Senate
President temporarily prohibits Senator Pauline Hanson
(PHON, Qld) from speaking in the Senate after her refusal to withdraw
comments made to Senator Mehreen Faruqi
(AG, NSW). Senator Hanson withdraws her comments at the end of the day.[94] |
11 November |
Remembrance
Day To commemorate
Australians killed in war, conflict and peacekeeping operations, the
Parliament House flags fly at half-mast from 10:30 am until the conclusion of
the one minute silence at 11 am. |
13 November |
Electric
Vehicle Charging Station Launch The Presiding Officers switch on
the first electric vehicle charging stations at Australian Parliament House
during a launch event. Michael Milton, one of Australia’s best-known
athletes, is a guest speaker at the launch.[95] |
13 November |
ARIA Awards
Pop-Up Performance ARIA
award-nominated artist G FLIP performs in a Senate Courtyard.[96] |
14 November |
Russell
Broadbent quits Liberal Party Russell Broadbent
(Ind, Monash, Vic) moves to the crossbench after losing Liberal party
preselection for his seat.[97] |
15 November |
Christmas
Giving Tree Launch At the Christmas
Giving Tree launch, the Presiding Officers light the 6m tall tree and
announce this year’s nominated charities. The Canberra Grammar School Choir
also perform.[98] |
27 November |
Parliament
House Illuminated in Orange Parliament House
is illuminated orange to support the United Nations campaign 16
Days of Activism against Gender-Based violence.[99] |
28 November |
Dual
chamber ‘conference’ requested The
Senate agrees to a motion requesting a ‘conference’ with the House of
Representatives on four private senators’ Bills that had been agreed to by
the Senate on 9 November 2023.[100]
This specific procedure has largely fallen into disuse, with the last similar
request from the Senate being made in 1950. |
29 November |
National
Apology for Thalidomide tragedy The Prime
Minister and Leader
of the Opposition make statements on behalf of the parliament apologising
to the survivors of those given thalidomide. Thalidomide was historically
prescribed to pregnant women to treat anxiety, insomnia, and morning
sickness, but resulted in infant death or deformity.[101] |
30 November |
Delegation
from Nepal Parliament House
hosts a delegation from the National Assembly of Nepal, led by Ganesh Prashad Timilsina.[102] |
4 December |
Peta Murphy
dies The Prime
Minister announces that Peta Murphy
(ALP, Dunkley, Vic) passed away after a lengthy battle with breast cancer,
aged 50.[103] |