The first session of the 57th Parliament was opened on Tuesday 7 May 2019.

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.

In accordance with the commitment made by the Government in response to the June 2016 Legislative Council Portfolio Committee No. 3 report on reparations for the Stolen Generations in New South Wales, both the President and the Speaker in their respective chambers gave a statement acknowledging and promoting Aboriginal culture and heritage.

Following these proceedings, Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC Governor of New South Wales and Mr Dennis Wilson arrived at Parliament House and received a Vice-Regal Salute from a Tri-Service Honour Guard, a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.

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

Following a reception in honour of Her 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 the Council chamber.

Once all were present in the Upper House, four members of the Gamilaraay nation addressed the chamber from the Bar of the House in their language and handed the message stick to the Usher of the Black Rod for placement on the dais. This new practice was introduced as part of the presentation of the message stick to the New South Wales Parliament on 11 October 2017, during the ceremony to mark the introduction of the Aboriginal Languages Bill 2017.

The Governor then delivered the Opening Speech, which declared the causes of calling Parliament together and outlined the Government's broad legislative program for the coming session.

The Usher of the Black Rod, Ms Susan Want, followed by the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, Ms Jenny Whight, leading the procession of members of the Legislative Assembly to the Legislative Council Chamber.

The three Commissioners, the Hon. Bronnie Taylor MLC, the Hon Don Harwin MLC and the Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC read the Commission for the opening of parliament.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC being met by the Usher of the Black Rod, Ms Susan Want, on her arrival at Parliament House.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC being met by the President of the Legislative Council, the Honourable John Ajaka MLC,  and  the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Honourable Jonathan O'Dea MP on her arrival at Parliament House.

Her Excellency the Governor inspecting the Tri-Service Honour Guard and the Royal Australian Navy Band.

Her Excellency the Governor, Mr Wilson, Usher of the Black Rod, President and Speaker observing the smoking ceremony performed by Mr Brendan Kerin.

Welcome to Country by Ms Yvonne Weldon.

The President of the Legislative Council, the Hon John Ajaka MLC, being presented to Her Excellency the Governor in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House.

The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the Hon Jonathan O'Dea MP, being presented to Her Excellency the Governor in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House.

Her Excellency the Governor and Mr Wilson entering the informal recption held in her honour in the Strangers' Dining Room at Parliament House.

The Usher of the Black Rod summoning the Legislative Assembly.

Aunty Maureen Sulter of the Gamilaraay nation addressing the chamber from the Bar of the House in language with the message stick.

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

Her Excellency the Governor reading the Opening Speech and the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon John Ajaka MLC.