‘Australians voted for change’: The 47th Parliament sits for the first time to ‘deliver’ on Labor’s promise

The 47th Parliament is sitting for the first time since the Federal Election in May 2022 with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stating the “momentous day” is the beginning of “change”.

Albanese marked the new Parliaments’ official opening with a “moment of reflection” in church. 

A moment of reflection before the 47th Parliament opens today. As we gather in Canberra, the new Government is setting a new tone for politics – bringing people together to find common purpose. pic.twitter.com/uSuh1zU3bS

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 25, 2022

Speaking to reporters before the sitting, the PM spoke on the upcoming focus of the new Parliament.

“Today is a momentous day. It’s a day that confirms the change of government when the new Parliament sits for the first time,” Albanese said.

“I said on election night, on May 21, that Australians voted for change and indeed they did. And we have a mandate to implement that change.

“I want to see a Parliament that functions much better than the last one. One where there’s genuine debate and dialogue and discussion. I want more unity, less division. I want to bring the country together with a sense of our common purpose which is there. We have big challenges as a nation going forward.

“There are challenges with our economy, there are challenges with inequality in our society, but there’s also international challenges as well, in defence and our national security. Challenges that have been highlighted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but challenges as well that are in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Today is a momentous day. The new Parliament will sit for the first time.

On election day Australians voted for change and today we meet in Canberra to deliver on it. pic.twitter.com/UMHz8ecNEl

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 25, 2022

Albanese was asked if he had a message for religious communities as he was standing in front of a church and given his recent condemnation of former rival, Scott Morrison, for statements made during a sermon. 

“That I respect people of faith. That all people, regardless of their faith, should be respected. That’s something I have always done. And something that my Government will do as well,” he said.

“We will address the issues of religious discrimination and the need to legislate there. We’ll do that during the term of Parliament. We’ll do it in a way which is much more consultative and brings people together in a way that I hope characterises the way my Government functions.”

The Prime Minister has said this week’s primary focus will be on making aged care better for the “older Australians” who” built this country”.

This week in Canberra. pic.twitter.com/tFLWeGC2pP

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 25, 2022

Speaking with Sky News, Albanese said he will be introducing “some 17 of the recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission”.

“The former government received the recommendations and then just sat on them,” he said.

“Australia has had a decade of neglect and drift. We want to make sure we get on with the reforms that are necessary in order to advance Australia’s interests, in order to create a better future for Australia.”