Tomorrow is the formal opening of the 47th Parliament – this is the first meeting of a new Parliament following the May 2022 general election.
Key features of the day will include a Welcome to Country, swearing in ceremony, the election of a Speaker, the commencement of formal business and the Governor-General’s speech. We have put together a short article on the proceedings on the day.
Proceedings on opening day
Welcome to Country
A Welcome to Country will be held at the commencement of the Parliament as part of the official opening, pursuant to House standing orders and a resolution of the Senate.
Image: Welcome to Country ceremony, 46th Parliament. Courtesy of Auspic/DPS.
The Welcome to Country ceremony will begin in the Great Hall, with a smoking ceremony to follow on the Forecourt.
In preparation for the smoking ceremony, on 15 July, Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri and Ngunnawal Custodian, visited Australian Parliament House to cut a coolamon.
Before making the first cut, Mr House explained, 'This is about nurturing country, connecting the country. Healthy country, healthy people - for all of us. If we have a connection to country, country stays healthy.'
Image: Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri and Ngunnawal Custodian cutting a coolamon, showing the scarring. Courtesy of Auspic/DPS.
Swearing in of members
After the Parliament is officially opened, members return to the House of Representatives to be sworn in.
A Justice of the High Court will take the Speaker’s Chair, and the Clerk will read to the House the judge’s authorisation to administer the oath or affirmation of allegiance and will then table the returns to the writs. This will indicate the member who has been elected for each electoral division.
The members are called to the Table in groups to either subscribe an oath or affirmation of allegiance.
Image: Swearing in Ceremony, Opening of the 46th Parliament. Courtesy of Auspic/DPS.
Election of Speaker
The House of Representatives will then elect a Speaker. This is important because no business can be conducted in the House until the Speaker is elected and takes the chair.
The Clerk of the House will then oversee the election of Speaker. The Clerk will call for nominations and the mover and seconder may speak in support of their candidate. The Clerk will ask the nominee if they accept the nomination.
If more than one nomination is received there may be further debate before a secret ballot is conducted.
The member elected will thank the House before taking the chair as Speaker.
Image: Former Speaker the Hon. Tony Smith being led to the Speaker’s Chair after being re-elected in the 46th Parliament. Courtesy of Auspic/DPS.
Governor-General’s speech
The Speaker, preceded by the Serjeant-at-Arms and accompanied by the clerks and members, will walk in procession from the House to the Senate, where the Governor-General makes the ‘opening speech’.
The opening speech is a formal declaration of the causes of the calling together of the Parliament and contains a brief review of the affairs of the nation and a forecast of the government’s proposed program of legislation. The speech will generally last around 20 to 30 minutes.
Following the speech, a 19-gun artillery salute will be fired outside Parliament House. The Governor-General will then leave the Senate Chamber and the Speaker and members return in procession to the House.
Image: His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) making the Goveror-General's speech in the Opening of the 46th Parliament. Courtesy of Auspic/DPS.
Formal business
Since the Governor-General’s speech outlines the Government’s proposed legislative program, the House asserts its independence from the Government by doing some business which is outside that program and before the Speaker has formally notified the House of the speech.
This tradition is a symbolic declaration by the House that it is master of its own program of business.
Traditionally the formal business takes the form of the presentation and first reading of a bill. This bill is termed the ‘formal’ or ‘privilege’ bill. It is non-contentious and may not be proceeded with further.
Announcements by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition (and other party leaders) of the composition of the ministry and party appointments, respectively, normally also take place at this point.
Other business
The House is then free to proceed to other business before adjourning for the day. Business conducted at this stage commonly includes the election of the Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker, and condolence motions or references to the deaths of former members or senators.
Want to find out more?
For more information on the procedural and historical aspects of the day, check out Infosheet 9: A new Parliament.
We have also put together a video that explains what happens on Opening Day. Check it out on our YouTube channel.
Planning on visiting Parliament House?
Information on visiting Parliament House is available on the Visit Parliament webpage, you can also contact Visitor Services on 02 6277 5399 or by email visitorservices@aph.gov.au