Black Rod

The Black Rod in the Senate.

DPS Auspic

The Black Rod in the Senate.

DPS Auspic

Description

In the foreground of this image is a silver crown on the end of a black stick. In the background is the red seats of the Senate arranged in a horse-shoe shape around a large central table.

Copyright information

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.

What is the Black Rod?

The Black Rod is a staff and the symbol of the power of the Usher of the Black Rod. It is 1.44 metres long, made of ebony wood and weighs 1.119 kg. It is topped with a silver crown and has a silver Australian Coat of Arms.

The Usher of the Black Rod in the Senate.

Penny Bradfield/DPS Auspic

The Usher of the Black Rod in the Senate.

Penny Bradfield/DPS Auspic

Description

The Usher of the Black Rod, holding a long black staff with a silver crown at its top (the Black Rod) is walking through the open doors of the Senate. 

Copyright information

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.

Function

The Black Rod is carried by the Usher of the Black Rod while undertaking Senate work such as:

• escorting the President of the Senate into and out of the Senate at the start and end each day
• standing guard when the Senate doors are locked during a vote
• delivering messages and bills – proposed laws – from the Senate to the House of Representatives.

When the Senate is meeting and the Black Rod is not in use, it stands upright beside the Usher of the Black Rod’s chair on the government side.

On the opening of a new parliament the Usher of the Black Rod uses the Black Rod to knock 3 times on the door of the House of Representatives. The Usher of the Black Rod then invites the members of the House to the opening ceremony conducted in the Senate.

History

The role of the Usher of the Black Rod dates to the 14th century in Britain. The Usher was appointed to serve the monarch in the British House of Lords and was originally an officer of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a British order of Knighthood. The Black Rod was used to discipline anyone who offended the Order.

The Senate Black Rod was made for the opening of Old Parliament House in 1927. It was modelled on the Black Rod used in the New South Wales Legislative Council and was originally made of pine. In 1988, the pine shaft was replaced with ebony for the opening of the new Parliament House.