At the state opening of the Australian Parliament, Prime Minister Julia Gillard acknowledged the history of the indigenous people of Australia and welcomed the first aboriginal member elected to the lower house of parliament. Her remarks were followed by highlights from the State Opening and Question Time, which occurred in late September. Julia Gillard formed Australia’s first minority government in 67 years after a tense election that left each of the main political parties with 72 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. Ms. Gillard was able to continue as Prime Minister after convincing two independent members to join her government. She is Australia’s first female Prime Minister.