The Senate met at 10.30 am, pursuant to the proclamation of His Excellency the Governor-General.

The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Alan FERGUSON) took the chair.

The Clerk read the proclamation.

The Deputy appointed by His Excellency the Governor-General for the opening of the Parliament, the Hon. Anthony Murray Gleeson AC, Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, having been announced by the Usher of the Black Rod, entered the chamber and took the chair.

The Deputy directed the Usher to desire the attendance of the members of the House of Representatives:

Members of the House of Representatives having attended accordingly—

The Deputy said:

Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives: His Excellency the Governor-General has appointed me as his Deputy to declare open the Parliament of the Commonwealth. The Clerk of the Senate will now read the instrument of appointment.

The instrument having been read by the Clerk—

The Deputy said:

Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives, pursuant to the instrument which the Clerk has now read, I declare open the 42nd Parliament of the Commonwealth.

His Excellency the Governor-General has commanded me to let you know that, after certain Members of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives have been sworn, the Governor-General will declare in person at this place the causes of his calling the Parliament together.

First it is necessary that a Speaker of the House of Representatives be chosen and, therefore, you, Members of the House of Representatives, will now return to the House of Representatives and choose a person to be your Speaker. Later today, you will present the person you have chosen to the Governor-General at a time and place appointed by him.

I will now attend in the House of Representatives for the purpose of administering the oath or affirmation of allegiance to honourable members of that House.

The Deputy and members of the House of Representatives having retired, the President again took the chair—