The Governor-General, Michael Jeffery, has officially opened the 41st Parliament following the elections of October 9, 2004.
The Governor-General’s speech is written by the government of the day and read to a joint meeting of members of both houses in the Senate chamber.
It is the culmination of a day of pomp and ceremony during which members are sworn in and the Speaker of the House of Representatives is chosen. The day ends with a 21-gun salute.