CANBERRA -- After a four month break thanks to the July 2 double dissolution election, the 45th Parliament is getting underway, just as soon as all the wild Pokémon were cleared from the gallery.
The pollie preschool is over, the seats have been taken, the Speaker and Senate President have been sworn in and 18 years after she lost office, Pauline Hanson is back in the house.. well the Senate.
The federal pollies will soon get down to business (the Turnbull Government is fast-tracking 25 pieces of legislation), but before that there is a lot to enjoy about a rare joint ceremonial opening of parliament.
The selfie game of Labor Senator Louise Pratt was strong at the Welcome to Country ceremony.
Wonderful to witness the boys from @SICRiverview dancing for Senators @MalarndirriMLA & Pat Dodson's swearing in. pic.twitter.com/RhqO79An7D
— Louise Pratt (@Louise_Pratt) August 30, 2016
The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader got into the spirit of the occasion, the later despite an earlier run-in with a parish priest over marriage equality.
Shadow frontbencher Andrew Leigh took it upon himself to help security with their duties.
Just removing strangers from the House before proceedings start. #auspolpic.twitter.com/4a6I02pr0N
— Andrew Leigh (@ALeighMP) August 30, 2016
While Liberal Senator James McGrath kept it simple.
The re-elected Speaker Tony Smith redefined "reluctant" as he was traditionally dragged to his seat by Liberal MPs Michael Sukkar and Lucy Wicks.
Tony Smith "dragged" to chair after being elected unopposed as Speaker of the House of Representatives. https://t.co/qPFeFZRj2e
— triplejHack (@triplejHack) August 30, 2016
Carry On Christopher.
As old and new helped each other...
... it was "good to be back."
With the Turnbull Government trying to pass its legislative agenda through a narrowly won parliament, it's a fair bet the first-day smiles won't last long.