Christian Porter (Pearce, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I would also like to add my congratulations on your re-election to the role of Speaker in the 46th Parliament of the House of Representatives. Of course, great democracies like ours are often described as rules based systems, and I recall a lecturer in law school, in an arcane unit called civil procedure, which many in this House, including you, would have endured, saying something to the affect that 'Rules were at the heart of civil procedure and civil procedure was at the inescapable heart of the law.' I remember thinking at the time: 'This unit sounds completely awful!' Indeed a genuine affinity for civil procedure is a very uncommon thing. Also, it could be said that as parliament is at the heart of democracy so the observance of rules of engagement is always at the heart of parliament.

I further remember that upon first meeting you, Mr Speaker, in the context of one of the many committees that abound in this place, I was struck immediately by the sense of just having met one of those truly rare people who deeply and authentically possess a foundational respect—indeed an almost romantic commitment—to process, rules and procedure. That commitment is as rare as it is unfakeable. The broad recognition that we are fortunate to have a parliamentarian with a genuine love of our history and procedure in this most important of roles is evident by the manner of your re-election unopposed.

So, Mr Speaker, viva la procedure! The government benches look forward to abiding, with unending enthusiasm, with the wisdom of your rulings.

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