Two centuries of democracy in Australia is being celebrated with a wide and exciting range of events marking the establishment of the nation’s first parliament, the New South Wales Legislative Council, with a much-anticipated Royal visit in 2024 promising to be a highlight.
It was during the first Royal Tour to Australia in 1954 that Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit to the NSW Parliament and christened it Australia’s “Mother Parliament”.
Patron of the Bicentenary Her Excellency Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW, today officially launched the program of unfolding events commemorating the Bicentenary of the NSW Legislative Council, offering the community the chance to engage with and learn about the state’s rich parliamentary history and the evolution of democracy in Australia over the last two hundred years.
“The establishment, in 1823, of the Legislative Council as the first legislative body in Australia was to have defining and profound impacts,” Her Excellency said. “In celebrating the Bicentenary of the Legislative Council, we celebrate its role in our parliamentary democracy, as required by s5 of the NSW Constitution: ‘to make laws for the peace, welfare, and good government of New South Wales, in all cases whatsoever.’
“As Patron, I am delighted to launch the Official Program of events for the Bicentenary of the NSW Legislative Council.”
President of the NSW Legislative Council Matthew Mason-Cox said of the establishment of the Legislative Council 200 years ago: “This was Australia’s magical Magna Carta moment, the first restraint on the autocratic power of the early Governors that has evolved into Parliament as we know it today.
“We want the citizens of NSW to join us as the NSW Parliament, the mother parliament of Australia, proudly reflects on its past, whilst looking forward to an even more compelling future.
“Our exciting series of events means people right across the state can help celebrate the Bicentenary, with the momentum building up to and throughout 2024,” said Mr Mason-Cox.
Besides a much-anticipated Royal tour in 2024, other events include:
- Sydney being the venue of the prestigious 2024 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, the world’s largest parliamentary gathering, attracting more than 750 delegates from 53 countries and providing NSW with a major economic boost;
- A major travelling exhibition taking Parliament on the road to regional and rural venues throughout the state, with a special focus on educating primary and secondary school students on our democratic history;
- The establishment of a Young Aboriginal Leaders Program, providing an opportunity for future Indigenous leaders to learn about parliament, government, and the legal and financial systems;
- The appointment of Bicentenary Ambassadors – a group of eminent Australians who will promote the program of events;
- The appointment of Youth Ambassadors representing organisations such as Scouts NSW, Girl Guides NSW, Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, the NSW Youth Advisory Council and the NSW Regional Youth Taskforce;
- The commissioning of a major Aboriginal artwork for Parliament House, to mark the relationship that exists between Aboriginal people and the Parliament as we look toward the future;
- Re-enactments of historic events, including a commemorative opening of parliament and others relating to the evolution of the NSW Legislative Council;
- Public seminars involving respected academics and experts, delving into colourful characters, stories, and events from the birth of the Legislative Council;
- A special Parliamentary Oration series, where eminent speakers will discuss the challenging issues confronting our democracy.
- A special Parliamentary Oration series, where eminent speakers will discuss the challenging issues confronting our democracy.
Another major initiative of the Bicentenary will be the renovation of the Rum Hospital, the oldest public building in Australia, opened in 1816 by Governor Lachlan Macquarie and now home of the Parliament of NSW.
While the Bicentenary of the first meeting of the Legislative Council itself falls in 2024, the program of commemorative events leading up to the actual anniversary is already underway. Details of these activities will be made available at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bicentenary. The Legislative Council’s Facebook page will also keep the community up to date with the latest Bicentenary news: www.facebook.com/nswupperhouse.
