It wasn’t democratic and it certainly wasn’t diverse but Australia’s first parliament is marking 200 years since it first sat in old Sydney Town.

More than 5000 people are set to celebrate the milestone on Sunday during a spectacular open house at the freshly restored NSW Parliament House.

It wasn’t democratic and it certainly wasn’t at all diverse, all men and very Anglo.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper (right) speaks to media during a press conference at New South Wales Parliament in Sydney, Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Photo: AAP/Bianca De Marchi

There were no women or ministers with names like Sophie Cotsis, Steve Kamper (Stavros Kamberoyiannis) , Courtney Houssos, or Jihad Dib. Things have changed in Australia and the first parliament, now marking 200 years since it first sat in old Sydney Town, is now half women and very diverse culturally.

More than 5000 people are set to celebrate the milestone on Sunday during a spectacular open house at the freshly restored NSW Parliament House.

Visitors will be able to explore areas of Australia’s oldest public building, usually cut off to them, while high school students will step onto the upper house chamber floor to contest a regional public speaking grand final.

(L-R) His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, meets with NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, and NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York during a visit to the NSW State Emergency Services in Marrickville, Sydney, Thursday, November 23, 2023. Photo: AAP/Bianca De Marchi

“The NSW Parliament’s Upper House has come a long way since 1824, as an advisory council of five men appointed by the governor,” NSW Legislative Council President Ben Franklin said on Sunday.

“Today, we celebrate a robust House of Review with 42 directly elected members, representing the diverse voices of our state.”

That first session in 1824 included Governor Sir Tom Brisbane and the colony’s chief surgeon, colonial secretary, principal surgeon and surveyor general.

But not much was done that first day.

Minister Sophie Cotsis is sworn in by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley during the NSW Ministry swearing in ceremony at Government House in Sydney, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Photo: AAP/Justin Lloyd

Minutes from the historic day show that after reading King George IV’s royal warrant establishing the council and taking oaths, the group debated whether they needed the fifth member – the governor’s deputy – present.

They decided they didn’t and finished for the day due to lack of official business.

Elections for some seats began in 1843 though direct democratic elections for all seats took until 1978.

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey (left) and NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos looking over budget papers at Parliament House in Sydney, Monday, September 18, 2023. Mookhey will hand down Labor’s first budget in 13 years on Tuesday, promising to rebuild essential services he says were neglected by multiple former coalition governments. Photo: AAP/Dean Lewins

Come 2024, the chamber boasts an even split of men and women members and numerous from immigrant backgrounds.

Sunday’s festivities will also include the world premiere performance of a composition by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, prepared especially for the Bicentenary.

After NSW, Tasmania has the oldest legislative council, established in 1825 after splitting from the mainland colony.

Source: AAP