Thursday, 11 May 2023
The Address in Reply is the formal acknowledgement by the House to the Governor-General for the speech given at an opening of Parliament. The Address itself is a formal document, printed on goatskin parchment and signed by the Speaker and the Clerk of the House.
Once the Address has been agreed to the Speaker ascertains when the Governor-General is able to receive the Address in Reply and announces the time of presentation to the House.
Proceedings in the House are suspended to enable the Speaker and Members wishing to attend to proceed to Government House for the presentation. The official party includes the Speaker, the mover and seconder of the Address, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, and the Serjeant-at-Arms. Following the presentation, proceedings in the House resume and the Speaker reports the fact to the House.