<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The official opening of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/federal-politics" rel="" target="_blank" title="48th parliament"><span>48th parliament</span></a><span> was a day filled with pomp, ceremony, whimsy and some shirking of tradition as MPs and senators descended on Canberra.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Parliament House was crawling with politicians old and new for the first time since Labor's stunning victory in May and federal parliament resumed bulked-up </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/labor" rel="" target="_blank" title="Labor"><span>Labor</span></a><span> ranks, up from 77 to 94 seats in the House of Representatives and seven new senators.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Today's formalities preceded a stacked agenda for the rest of the week as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's election vows are tested in the Senate.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/reserve-bank-reasons-hold-interest-rates-july-meeting-minutes/46c99c85-a17f-4598-a022-f1a637838457" target="_blank"><strong><span>RBA reveals exactly why it kept interest rates on hold in shock decision</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Among them are Labor's promise to slash 20 per cent from HECS debts, the $150 energy rebate top up and sweeping childcare reform.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Here's what you missed today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/police-officer-dies-suddenly-on-the-beach-while-playing-with-his-kids/7251553d-762e-4b56-9ab0-2d744ddf6df0" target="_blank"><strong><span>Police officer dies suddenly on the beach while playing with his kids</span></strong></a></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/federal-parliament-returns-after-labors-victory-everything-to-know-explained/07af5c97-bd45-41b5-9e0e-c68faf78652b" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span></span><strong><span>Bob Katter says no to swearing allegiance to King Charles</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Federal MP Bob Katter refused to swear allegiance to King Charles III, as is tradition for sitting MPs when parliament resumes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When asked, Katter replied: "No, I swear allegiance to the Australian people."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Katter has previously said he has never sworn allegiance to a monarch in his 50 years in politics.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He said last year it was "extremely disrespectful that Australian MPs aren't offered the opportunity to swear 'their allegiance to the people of Australia' each time a new parliament sits".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Indigenous Senator Lidia Thorpe caused a stir last year when she claimed she had never properly sworn allegiance to the Queen or King, revealing she has always said "hairs" not "heirs" during the proceedings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Thorpe was also made to repeat the oath after she called the Queen a "coloniser" in 2022.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Albanese and Ley 'didn't say hello' at church service</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The prime minister and opposition leader didn't appear to exchange pleasantries while attending a church service in Canberra today, despite sitting in the same pew, 9News reported.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Albanese and Sussan Ley sat near each other at Wesley Uniting Church, where they both delivered speeches, but reporters on the ground say they barely stole a glance at each other.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The frosty reception reflected the cold winter Canberra morning as the political rivals departed the church for Parliament House.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Following the church service, the PM told reporters that "so many" of the Labor's government's commitments will be having an impact, including the HECS reform which is expected to be legislated this week and will take effect backdated from July 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/greg-josephson-universal-store-cofounder-family-shuts-down-cafe-noosa-noosa-general-store-and-eumundi-sourdough-co/6e933c8c-1cc2-4391-b876-bf71a1c22c06" target="_blank"><strong><span>Family of slain Universal Store co-founder forced to make 'tough call'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>PM says Welcome to Country is not 'controversial' </span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Anthony Albanese spoke following a Welcome to Country given by Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan in the Great Hall.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The PM described a Welcome to Country as a "powerful" way of introducing a new parliament and noted it wasn't part of the tradition until 18 years ago.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This ceremony didn't take place until 2007 and was controversial in 2007. It is not controversial today. Nor should it be," Albanese said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is a respectful way of us beginning our deliberations here in Canberra, which of course means meeting place."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He added: "It is a reminder as well of why we all belong here together, that we are stronger together and we belong."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Labor accused of secret tax hike plans</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Labor was quizzed on its tax plans today after secret Treasury advice was inadvertently shared with an ABC journalist earlier this month.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The independent advice said taxation revenue needs to be increased and spending reduced if the budget is to get out of its structural deficit.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sussan Ley said it was clear "work is going on to increase taxes".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We know this because of leaked Treasury advice that demonstrates that there will be a plan coming forward to tax Australians more," Ley said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treasurer Jim Chalmers hit back with a blistering statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Sussan Ley wants Australians to forget the Liberal Party just went to an election promising to legislate higher taxes for every Australian taxpayer. Sussan Ley was the one who said they'd 'absolutely' roll back our tax cuts," Chalmers said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Every single Australian taxpayer would be paying more tax if Sussan Ley had her way."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/rain-to-soak-australia-this-week/d44e39b5-19ea-4e01-a534-840689b84018" target="_blank"><strong><span>Cold fronts to bring Australia-wide soaking this week</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Governor-General's cost of living message</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The federal and opposition government's united front on cost of living has formed a large part of Governor-General Sam Mostyn's speech in the Senate chamber.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She listed key cost of living measures, both promised and delivered, which will tackle the ongoing issues impacting Australian battlers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Three years ago the government took office amid a worldwide inflation crisis, fighting inflation was prioritised along with cost of living relief for Australians," Mostyn said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Today, inflation is moderating, interest rates have fallen, real wages are growing and more than one million jobs have been created. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Australians together have steered our economy through choppy waters, many however are still under pressure."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mostyn then mentioned the federal government's incoming tax cuts, the proposed instant $1000 tax deduction and Medicare investments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She also outlined Labor's housing policy, which aims to unlock housing supply and help buyers and renters.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The government understands this will benefit prospective buyers as well as those struggling with insecure rental agreements," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/four-day-work-week-improves-worker-happiness-confidence-study-finds/7695eef3-c897-4264-868a-2aab865eafa3" target="_blank"><strong><span>The eight-hour change making workers happier, healthier, better</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><span>AUKUS deal will be 'progressed'</span></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Mostyn also briefly promoted the government's much-debated AUKUS submarine pact in her speech.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The government is also committed to strengthening Australia's security partnerships," the Governor-General said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The AUKUS agreement will continue to be progressed and deliver long-term strategic offence for all three countries."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/aukus-us-review-australia-could-be-asked-to-pay-more-reports/a4866bdd-2c01-40c6-b966-c8baeefe1567" rel="" target="_blank" title="It comes after reports the Pentagon is considering adding extra costs"><span>It comes after reports the Pentagon is considering adding extra costs</span></a><span> and conditions to the AUKUS deal, including demanding Australia's nuclear submarines support the US in a conflict with China.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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