Guide to Opening of Parliament

The Opening of a Session of the Parliament of Victoria by the Governor is a ceremony based on procedure and custom derived from the Opening of Parliament at Westminster by the Queen. The purpose is for the Governor, as the Queen’s representative, to outline in an Opening Speech the Government’s programme for the Session.

See the Council information sheet and the Assembly fact sheet for more information on the Opening of Parliament.

The 57th Parliament was opened on Tuesday 21 December 2010.

The Governor, Professor David de Kretser, A.C. signed the  Proclamation  (pdf 351.29 Kb)  setting the date for the opening of parliament.

The program for the day included:

10.30 am: Aboriginal Welcome to Country

11.00 am: Bells ring to call members to the Chambers. The Clerk reads the Proclamation convening Parliament and members are sworn in.

1.40 pm: The Governor arrives and stands on the dais for the Vice-Regal Salute. The Governor then inspects the Guard of Honour and the Band.

2.45 pm (approx): The Governor reads his Opening speech in the Legislative Council Chamber

Some of the opening day proceedings are open to the public and some are by invitation only. In 2011 the proceedings were broadcast on the internet for the first time.