Chapter 02 : Start of a New Parliament
Chapter 2: Start of a new Parliament
Opening of Parliament
On the day that the Parliament has been summoned to meet, the House will meet at the designated time, after the bells have been rung.
The Members of the Legislative Assembly attend in the Legislative Council Chamber to hear the commission for the opening of Parliament read. Members will then return to the Legislative Assembly Chamber and certain Members, usually the Premier, the Deputy Premier and the next senior Minister are empowered to administer the Pledge of Loyalty to other Members.
Members are called in order of electorate (A-Z) and to take the Pledge of Loyalty and sign the roll.
The House then elects a Speaker, Deputy Speaker and an Assistant Speaker. Once they are elected the Premier will present the Law of Evidence Bill. This Bill is symbolic only and is introduced at the commencement of each session in order for the House to assert its right to meet and legislate.
At some stage of the proceedings, the sitting will be suspended for Members of the House to proceed to Government House to present the Speaker to the Governor. The Speaker will, in the name and on behalf of the House, lay claim to its undoubted rights and privileges.
Further information:
- Section 4.1 New South Wales Legislative Assembly Practice, Procedure and Privilege;
- Procedural Note No. 1 – Proceedings on the first day of a new Parliament;
- Standing Orders 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
Inaugural speech
A Member's inaugural speech is the first speech a Member makes in the Legislative Assembly. The House can agree to a motion for the business of the House to be interrupted at a specified time to permit a Member to make an inaugural speech (SO 63).
It is the custom of the House that Members provide a measure of courtesy to Members making their inaugural or first speech and refrain from making interjections and other interruptions.
Members may speak for 15 minutes when making an inaugural speech with a 5 minute extension.
Members are not precluded from making a private Members' statement or asking a question prior to making an inaugural speech.
Further information:
- Section 11.3 New South Wales Legislative Assembly Practice, Procedure and Privilege;
- Procedural Note No. 2 – Inaugural Speeches;
- Standing Order 63.
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