Parliament opens with pomp and ritual
The 44th federal parliament has opened in Canberra with ceremonies combining indigenous traditions and British pomp.
Parliament’s Great Hall echoed to the sound of didgeridoos and clapping sticks on Tuesday morning as newly elected and veteran MPs and senators were welcomed to Ngunnawal country.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott told about 500 people gathered at parliament that it remained “redolent of Australia’s British heritage”.
But the nation’s indigenous heritage was also taking greater pride of place, particularly since the historic national apology to the Stolen Generations delivered by former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd in 2008.
Acknowledging the re-election of indigenous Liberal MP Ken Wyatt and new Labor senator Nova Peris, Australia’s first female indigenous parliamentarian, Abbott pledged to achieve recognition of indigenous people in the constitution “in this parliament or the next”.
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“We certainly can have an indigenous prime minister of this country,” Abbott added.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten told the “welcome to country” ceremony the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians was closing and the work of reconciliation did not end with parliament.
“It transcends politics in our nation,” Shorten said.
Abbott also gave an indication of his political agenda, which will start in earnest on Wednesday with the introduction of legislation including the carbon tax repeal bills.
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“This parliament always has great work to do: to secure our borders, to balance our budget, to strengthen our economy, to the relief of families and for the protection of jobs,” Abbott said.
Lower house members and six senators took their oaths and affirmations, just after Chief Justice Robert French delivered the formal opening words in the Senate chamber.
Veteran Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop was elected the 29th Speaker of the House of Representatives, defeating Labor nominee Rob Mitchell.
“She is a formidable character,” Abbott said.
“When any of us are tempted … to be low, mean or petty the member for Mackellar is well equipped to recall us to our duty.”
“This parliament will be a different one and a better one, I hope.”
Labor backbencher Graham Perrett, in backing Mitchell’s nomination, said Bishop had never apologised for having supported a 2011 anti-carbon tax rally in which protesters held signs reading “Ditch the witch” and “Bob Brown’s bitch”.
Bishop was elected 93 votes to 56.
