On the 10 Year Anniversary of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, the flags on Parliament House are being flown at half-mast.
In statements made in Parliament ahead of the Anniversary, members have remembered the 173 people who lost their lives and have acknowledged the countless more people impacted across the State and beyond as well as those who contributed to the response.
The Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, has officially opened Victoria’s 59th Parliament.
The day of tradition and ceremony commenced with a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin AO.
Colin Brooks has been elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Shaun Leane has been elected President of the Legislative Council for the 59th Parliament.
The election of Presiding Officers, who chair the proceedings in the two houses, is one of the first actions of a new Parliament following the swearing-in of members.
Traditions and procedure will feature at the official opening of Victoria’s 59th Parliament on Wednesday 19 December 2018.
The opening day will be webcast, with ceremonies commencing at 10:15 am and the official opening by the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, at 2 pm in the Legislative Council Chamber.
Four virtual reality tours have been created of the historic restoration works at Parliament House.
They are available on the Victorian Parliament’s website and provide a spectacular 360 degree view of the detailed work being undertaken.
