Governor-General Opens Parliament: Industrial Relations Legislation To Be At Forefront Of Government's Program

In a series of ceremonial events in Canberra today, the 40th Federal Parliament was officially opened by the Governor-General, Dr. Peter Hollingworth.

Following the swearing in of members this morning, both houses assembled in the Senate chamber to listen to the Governor-General's Address. By convention, the speech is written by the government. In reading the speech, the Governor-General outlines the government's legislative program for coming sessions of Parliament.

The speech contained little that was new. The loudest ejaculations by the politicians came when Hollingworth referred to legislation to abolish compulsory unionism and enforce secret ballots for strike action. The government has also renamed the "unfair dismissal" legislation in advance of resubmitting them as "fair dismissal" laws.

• Listen to the Governor-General's Address At The Opening Of Federal Parliament
• Transcript of the Governor-General's Speech

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------