“Before anything else, I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this place, the Ngunnawal
and Ngambri peoples, and pay my deep respects to Elders past and present.

We gather here on Country that has always had law, language, ceremony, memory and
story. Long before this city became the seat of Parliament, long before decisions were
made in buildings of stone and glass, this place was held in the care of First Peoples. It was
known, sung, walked, taught and loved.”