The new Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, has been sworn into the 45th Parliament, taking her seat in the House of Representatives for the first time.
Watched on by her husband, Ron Fuller, Ms Templeman was sworn in on Tuesday, August 30 in Canberra, taking her oath of office alongside Labor MPs Emma Husar [Member for Lindsay], Emma McBride [Member for Dobell], Susan Lamb [Member for Longman], Cathy O’Toole [Member for Herbert] and Steve Georganas [Member for Hindmarsh].
The first day was largely ceremonial with Parliament being recalled by proclamation, all new and returning MPs being sworn in, the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, and an address by the Governor General.
"I was very proud to be sworn in this week alongside terrific new Labor Members of Parliament,” Ms Templeman told the Gazette.
"The ceremony and marking of the new Parliament is an important day, as is watching the inaugural speeches of new MPs, which gives a sense of the diversity we all bring.
"Watching history in the making as [the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives] Linda Burney delivered her first speech was such a privilege.
"And being part of my first Question Time has to be another highlight.
"I spent three years in my 20s watching Question Time as a journalist, and it is an incredible experience to be sitting in the Chamber.
Ms Templeman said “every new experience reinforces for me the honour and responsibility I've been given to represent the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury”.
The date of Ms Templeman’s first speech to Parliament has not been officially finalised, but is expected to be Wednesday September 14.