Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
Previous Fragment    Next Fragment
Ch7 The parliamentary calendar / A SESSION / Opening of a new session / Opening by the Sovereign / FIRST SESSION



Download WordDownload Word

House of Representatives                                Ch 7                                                 p 225

 

The parliamentary calendar / A SESSION / Opening of a new session / ‘Opening’ by the Sovereign

 

First Session

On the meeting of a new Parliament and hence the 1st Session, the actual ‘opening’ of Parliament is carried out by the Governor-General’s Deputy. The Governor-General or the Sovereign may open Parliament in person but neither has done so.

However the 1st Parliament, which assembled at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne on 9 May 1901 pursuant to proclamation of the Governor-General, 1 was opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York in the name of, and on behalf of, His Majesty King Edward VII. 2 Some doubt has been expressed as to the legality of a person other than the Sovereign or the Governor-General (or the Governor-General’s Deputy) opening Parliament. 3 Members took and subscribed the oath required by law before the Governor-General and then retired to the Legislative Assembly Chamber at Parliament House to choose a Speaker. 4 The next day the Governor-General delivered a speech to Members of both Houses on the opening of the 1st Session of the 1st Parliament. 5



VP 1901-02/1.



VP 1901-02/7-8.



See Odgers , 6th edn, p. 233.



VP 1901-02/8-9.



VP 1901-02/11.