Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
MENU
Skip Navigation LinksHome Visit Events & exhibitions

Opening of the 56th Parliament

Opening of the 56th Parliament

​The first session of the 56th Parliament was opened on Tuesday 5 May 2015.

The Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly met according to Commission for the opening of Parliament after which each House swore in its new members and elected its Presiding Officer.

Following these proceedings, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales and Mrs Linda Hurley arrived at Parliament House and received a Vice-Regal Salute from a Tri-Service Honour Guard and a Welcome to Country.

The Presiding Officers and Members of Parliament were then presented to the Governor in the Jubilee Room.

Following a reception in honour of His Excellency, the Governor, Council Members and official guests assembled in the Council Chamber. The Governor then directed the Usher of the Black Rod to summon the Assembly Members to hear a speech on the opening of Parliament. At the invitation of the Speaker, the Black Rod summoned the Assembly Members to the Upper House.

Once all were present in the Upper House, the Governor delivered the Opening Speech, which outlined the Government’s broad legislative program for the coming session.




His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) being met by the Usher of the Black Rod, Ms Susan Want, on his arrival at Parliament House.




His Excellency the Governor inspecting the Tri-Service Honour Guard.




The President of the Legislative Council, the Hon Don Harwin MLC, being presented to His Excellency the Governor in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House.


​

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon Shelley Hancock MP, being presented to His Excellency the Governor in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House.




His Excellency the Governor reading the Opening Speech in the Legislative Council Chamber.




His Excellency the Governor reading the Opening Speech and the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon Don Harwin MLC.

The Parliament of New South Wales acknowledges and respects the traditional lands of all Aboriginal people, and pays respects to all Elders past and present. We acknowledge the Gadigal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Parliament of New South Wales stands.