Party leaders draw pistols at dawn of Parliament

CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott have wasted little time in firing their first salvos of the new Parliament.

Both went on the attack following the official opening of the 43rd Parliament in Canberra yesterday, casting serious doubt over hopes of a more unified Lower House.

During their congratulatory remarks following the re-election of Labor's Harry Jenkins as Speaker, both leaders attacked each other over a series of parliamentary reforms that have been the subject of intense debate in recent weeks.

While Jenkins was re-elected unopposed as Speaker, uncertainty remained last night over the identity of the two deputy speakers.

The Speaker role and a failed effort to make the position more independent were key factors in the debate over reforms.

Gillard appealed to the Opposition Leader to honour the spirit of the reform agreement, saying both Labor and the Coalition had a "remarkable opportunity to rebuild the standing of this Parliament in the eyes of the Australian people".

"That some of the reforms outlined in the agreement have not been adhered to has been a cause for regret," Gillard said.

"But I do not regard the agreement or the spirit that engendered it a lost cause. Instead, I renew an invitation to the Opposition to embrace the possibility of reform that characterises this new Parliament."

Abbott last week reneged on a deal on the role of the Speaker, saying an agreement signed on September 6 was not constitutionally valid.

The Opposition Leader yesterday defended his decision to walk away from the deal and warned that it would be a Parliament of robust debate.

"Yes, this is a finely balanced Parliament. But the fact that it is a finely balanced Parliament does not excuse the Government of its duty to keep its election commitments," Abbott said.

"This is an Opposition which will hold this Government to account. This is an Opposition which will expect of this Government that it honours its commitments. It will be a Parliament of robust debate."

The leaders' comments followed a welcome to country and the official swearing-in of the first hung Parliament in 70 years earlier in the day.

Aboriginal elder Matilda House called for unity during the welcome to country ceremony in front of Parliament House.

Dressed in traditional attire, House welcomed parliamentarians and expressed "the hope of a united, reconciled nation".

Gillard told Parliament the election of Jenkins seemed to have been a long time coming.

"I welcome your appointment not only as a valued colleague and old friend, but as a person learned in the ways of this Parliament, eminently suited by temperament and ability to be the presiding officer of this house," she said.

Jenkins' re-election means Labor will be forced to govern with a majority of just one vote on the floor of Parliament - 75 to 74 votes.

The reform deal would have seen the Speaker paired and the Government maintain a two-vote buffer.

Abbott told Jenkins: "I never wavered in my faith that you were the best person for the job that you hold.

"There were weeks when others doubted ... but I was with you every step of the way."

Gillard had refused to back Jenkins while the major parties bickered over whether or not the Speaker would be paired.

- AAP