The Lower House's First Meeting

After hearing the guards' words, the crowd instantly fell silent, their expectant gazes turning towards the guards, or rather, the list in their hands.

Seeing the crowd gradually quiet down, the guard spoke, "We are now announcing the list of members for the entire Lower House of New South Wales. Once the list is released, these members will officially take office for a term of two years."

"Abbott Martin Henris! These 71 individuals are the newly appointed members of the Lower House. Soldiers will be dispatched later to notify these members at their residences. As per Your Highness's orders, the first official meeting of the Lower House will be held on June 10th. All elected members are expected to attend unless there are exceptional circumstances." The guard solemnly instructed after reading out all the names.

Because it was the first time the Lower House was convening, Arthur decided to personally attend and preside over the meeting.

This greatly enhanced the seriousness and solemnity of the occasion. Therefore, theoretically, members were not allowed to be absent without a valid reason.

"Sir, when will the members of the State Legislature be announced?" someone who believed they had an advantage but wasn't elected to the Lower House quickly asked.

Without entering the Lower House, joining the State Legislature was currently the only path for those aspiring to a political career.

"I'm very sorry, we don't have the list for the State Legislature. You'll probably have to wait for the State Legislature to announce it later," the guard said, shrugging with a hint of apology.

Hearing the guard's words, those who didn't win the election immediately became dejected, looking with a touch of envy at the successful candidates celebrating around them.

As two more senior officials in the Sydney Municipal Government, Henris and Martin were quite successful in this election, with both of them being successfully elected to the Lower House.

At this moment, hearing their names from those around them, they looked at each other with joy.

"Hey! Henris, did you hear that? We got elected! We're esteemed members now, old friend," Martin said excitedly to Henris.

"Of course, Martin. You're right, we are members now," Henris replied, also beaming with joy. However, Henris managed to better control his wild impulses, responding to Martin with a smile.

For minor officials like them in the municipal government, successfully being elected as a member of parliament was a significant boost to their political careers.

In any country with a parliament, members of parliament are politicians of noble status and immense power. Even in a constitutional monarchy like Australia, members of parliament hold a certain degree of influence in politics.

"Alright, gentlemen. This is the entrance to the State Legislature. If you have nothing else, please don't linger here. Members of the Lower House, don't forget the first meeting on the tenth of next month. Everyone else, please wait patiently for the State Legislature's announcement." After reading the list, the guard posted it on the announcement wall at the entrance of the State Legislature and gave one last reminder to the crowd before returning to the government building.

Heeding the guard's reminder, the crowd dispersed from the State Legislature quite sensibly. As the saying goes, some are happy and some are sad. Those who were successfully elected were naturally overjoyed, while those whose names were not mentioned could only watch the celebrations of others with envy and jealousy.

June 10, 1900, Sydney, National Government Building.

Since Arthur's arrival, this government building, originally used by the New South Wales colonial government for its operations, had been temporarily repurposed by Arthur as the Australian National Government Building.

Fortunately, the building was planned to be quite large during its construction, which was why it could barely accommodate the entire national government agencies.

This was merely a temporary solution. Arthur was determined to build new government buildings and a royal palace. Both the national government's headquarters and the royal family's residence should not be too shabby.

By seven in the morning, a crowd of sternly dressed, unsmiling individuals had gathered outside the government building.

These people were not officials within the government building, nor were they onlookers. They were the members of the Australian Lower House, elected during the recent election.

Knowing that this day was extremely important for all members, everyone was dressed with utmost solemnity and dignity. They, who were usually chatting and laughing in small groups, now stood unsmiling and very serious at the entrance of the government building.

After some time, the doors of the government building slowly opened, and a contingent of guards emerged. They addressed the crowd, "Esteemed members, the venue for today's meeting is the first conference room on the east side of the top floor. Please maintain seriousness and quiet as you ascend."

Upon hearing the guards' instructions, the members began to follow their guidance, heading towards the top floor of the government building.

The top floor of the government building served as the temporary residence for Arthur and royal family members such as Princess Louise, Marguerite, and Patricia. It also housed two conference rooms, a dining hall, and two offices.

The "first conference room" mentioned by the guards was the largest conference room on the top floor, capable of accommodating up to three hundred people. This was more than sufficient for the one hundred and ninety members.

Everyone cautiously ascended to the top floor and, under the guards' direction, proceeded towards the conference room.

As they passed through the floors, no member dared to look around carelessly. After all, the guards were constantly watching them. Any act of looking around not only would leave a bad impression on Arthur but could also lead to reprimand.

Upon entering the conference room, everyone took their assigned seats. Most chose seats in the middle to back rows. The front seats were occupied by a few governors and some bolder members, along with a few unlucky individuals who arrived late and, finding no seats in the back, nervously sat in the front.

At eight o'clock, as a bell chimed, the guards opened the door, and Arthur walked in with a smile.

He first surveyed the room, recognizing several familiar faces. Then, Arthur smiled and said, "Congratulations to all of you for standing out from thousands, even tens of thousands, to become the first members of the Australian Lower House."

Phew!

Seeing that Arthur's opening remarks were not overly serious, many members visibly relaxed, and the tense atmosphere eased considerably.

"However, I must remind you that your status has now changed. You are now official members of the Lower House of the Grand Duchy of Australia, important officials who can decide the country's cabinet elections and laws. You may have been commoners before, or perhaps municipal officials. But now, you are all members of noble status. During your term, I do not wish to see any instances of corruption or bribery. I hope that you will all serve in this important position with the aim of developing Australia and building our beautiful homeland," Arthur's tone suddenly shifted, becoming solemn and serious.

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