PM tells politicians to ‘seize moment’
ANTHONY Albanese has described the first day of the new parliament as “big deal”.
Changes of government are rare in federal politics and have only occurred eight times since the end of World War II.
After nine years in opposition, Labor will occupy the government benches with a promise to hit the ground running.
The 47th parliament came to life with a day filled with mostly pomp and ceremony on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister, alongside Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, senators and MPS, attended an early
church service in Canberra. It was followed by a Welcome to Country from Paul House, a Ngambri-ngunnawal custodian, in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
He said the 47th parliament would be “profoundly important” for First Nations people and the country.
“This government has committed to implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart, Voice, Treaty and Truth-telling,” Mr House said. “We trust this parliament will act responsibly in embracing all three key elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.”
Later, Mr Albanese reminded parliamentarians that the Welcome to Country only
became part of official proceedings in 2008.
“We went ahead and we did it, and today, you have, I’m sure, every member of the House of Representatives and Senate across the political spectrum who can be here is here,” he said.
“We have record numbers of the public are here. And no one says that shouldn’t have happened.
“When Kevin Rudd delivered the apology, some said that also shouldn’t have happened, but there’s no one today who says that did anything other than bring our nation together.”
He said Australia had another “moment” ahead of it and encouraged parliamenta
rians to “seize” the opportunity to enshrine a First Nations voice to parliament within this term of government.
“I say to everyone here, all of my parliamentary colleagues, don’t miss the chance because you’re not here for that long,” Mr Albanese added. “And when you’re sitting on the porch, thinking about what you did, you can either have a source of pride or a source of regret. There’s no middle path. Make it a source of pride.”
Mr Dutton also addressed the congregation but did not directly address the referendum or the voice to parliament in his speech.
All parliamentarians were
due to be sworn in on Tuesday.
WA Labor senator Sue Lines was elected as Senate president and Queensland MP Milton Dick won the vote to be the Speaker of the House.
While ceremonial matters took up most of the day’s proceedings, several new MPS were to deliver their first speeches on Tuesday evening.
Mr Albanese has flagged he wants to introduce 18 pieces of legislation over the first two sitting weeks of parliament. Aged care, domestic and family violence leave and enshrining a 2030 emissions reduction target are expected to be the first bills off the bat for the government.