President Tony Tan laid out six broad goals during his speech at the opening of the Twelfth Parliament’s second session last evening, after a one-month mid-term break.

The Opening of Parliament is a formal ceremony where President Tan, as the head of state, reads out a speech prepared for him by the Government to set its agenda for its term. This is similar to the Opening of the Parliament in the United Kingdom, where the Queen will read a speech prepared by the Government.

President Tan said the Singapore government would work with all Singaporeans to achieve these six broad goals:

- strengthening social safety nets

- enhancing retirement adequacy

- supporting strong families and communities

- creating a better quality of life

- creating more job opportunities

- enabling young Singaporeans to fulfil their potential.

President Tony Tan delivering his address. He is flanked by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon (left) and Speaker Halimah Yacob (right). (Source: CNA FB)

From next week, the ministries will announce details of their new programmes. MPs will debate the President's Address two weeks from now (from 26 May).

Below are the photos from the re-opening of the 12th Parliament on social media:

Mr Lee Kuan Yew attends the re-opening of the 12th Parliament

Founding PM Lee Kuan Yew and 2nd PM Goh Chok Tong at the opening of the 12th Parliament. Mr Lee was one of the first to enter Parliament's main chamber yesterday evening (Source: PAP FB Page).

President Tan walking into the chambers

 Source: Lee Hsien Loong Instagram

President Tan and Mr Lee

President Tan and Mrs Tan speaking with Mr Lee after delivering his address (Source: Dr Tony Tan Facebook).

Another Group Selfie - MPs Tin Pei Ling and Alex Yam

The two MPs took a group selfie with the student ushers at the opening (Source: Alex Yam Facebook)

Group Photo of Female Parliamentarians

From left to right: Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo, Opposition MP Sylvia Lim, Jessica Tan, Minister Grace Fu, Penny Low, Foo Mee Har, Parliamentary Secretary Low Yen Ling, Ellen Lee, Denise Phua and Lee Bee Wah (Source: Foo Mee Har Facebook)

PM Lee Hsien Loong with students

PM Lee met students from River Valley High School, Innova Junior College and Hwa Chong Institution. He recalled that his parents invited him to attend an opening of Parliament one year, when he was their age. (Source: Lee Hsien Loong Facebook)

DPM Teo Chee Hean with students

DPM Teo said he had "a good chat too with students from JJC, NYP & DHSS about well-founded optimism for our future" (Source: Teo Chee Hean Facebook Page).

Like Father, like son

Nee Soon GRC MP Patrick Tay brought his son Samuel Tay along for the opening. (Source: Patrick Tay FB).

Top photo from Lee Hsien Loong Facebook.

Find Mothership.SG on Facebook and Twitter.