Who sits on the two chairs behind the President of the Senate?
Thanks for your question, Harry. One of these chairs is the vice-regal chair and the other is reserved for distinguished visitors.
The vice-regal chair is directly behind the President’s chair. It is used by the Governor-General or King Charles III on special occasions, such as the opening of a new Parliament. When the vice-regal chair is in use, it is moved forward, and the President’s chair is placed to the right of it.
The chair to the left of the vice-regal chair is for distinguished visitors to the Senate, including foreign presidents and prime ministers.
The Governor-General delivers a speech at the opening of a new Parliament
Penny Bradfield/DPS Auspic
The Governor-General delivers a speech at the opening of a new Parliament
Penny Bradfield/DPS Auspic
Description
The Governor-General gives a speech in the Senate at the opening of a new Parliament. There is a raised platform where the Governor-General sits in a large wooden chair speaking into a microphone. The President of the Senate is sitting in a high backed chair to the left of the Governor-General. Three people stand behind the chairs under a wood and metal representation of the Australian coat-of-arms. Senators and other dignitaries sit around the end of a T-shaped table and in rows around the room.
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