First parliamentary broadcast

08 May 1945

The proceedings of the Australian Parliament are broadcast for the first time.

The Australian Parliament was broadcast for the first time on 8 May 1945 when Acting Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the war in Europe was over. Australians were able to hear the news of this momentous occasion live on their radios. The broadcast was considered a success and the ABC began regular radio broadcasts of Parliament in 1946. This allowed Australians to better access, follow and understand the work of Parliament.

The first television broadcast of Parliament took place in 1959 for the opening of the 23rd Parliament. The 1974 joint sitting of Parliament was also televised, although it wasn’t until the 1990s that the meetings of Parliament were regularly broadcast on television. In 1990 the daily sessions of the Senate were broadcast on both radio and television. The House of Representatives quickly followed and began televising daily sessions in 1991. Since 1999, the proceedings of Parliament have also been streamed online.

[Broadcasting of proceedings] should be introduced in this country as soon as the circumstances permit … the result would be to raise the standard of debates, enhance the prestige of Parliament, and contribute to a better informed judgment throughout the community on matters affecting the common good and the public interest, nationally and internationally.
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Broadcasting, report tabled 27 September 1945
A large room where many men in suits are sitting in a U-shaped seating arrangement. A man stands to speak to the other men.

Prime Minister Ben Chifley addressing the House of Representatives, Canberra

National Archives of Australia, A1200 L12402

Prime Minister Ben Chifley addressing the House of Representatives, Canberra

A large room where many men in suits are sitting in a U-shaped seating arrangement. A man stands to speak to the other men.

National Archives of Australia, A1200 L12402

Description

A black and white photograph of the House of Representatives in Provisional (Old) Parliament House taken in 1945. Prime Minister Ben Chifley addresses the members of the House from the central table. Microphone stands have been placed around the room to capture audio.