Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Kennedy. With the House's indulgence, I want to give some remarks, but I begin firstly with acknowledging that we gather here today in this parliament on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, where our parliament is constructed. I extend that acknowledgement to all First Nations people represented here today in the gallery and, of course, those taking their seats in this House.

With indulgence, it is an honour to give thanks to the remarks by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Nationals, members for Indi and Kennedy, and the Manager of Opposition Business. To be chosen for this role for a second time is a profound honour, but to be elected unopposed is deeply humbling. I recognise the significance of the gesture, and not only am I grateful for the trust and goodwill shown from both sides of this chamber but I want to prove that I've earned that trust. This is not a privilege I take lightly, because it is an incredible honour.

In my view, the role of Speaker is not one of partisanship but of stewardship, and it's my solemn responsibility to ensure that democracy is not only practised here but strengthened here. It was a privilege to be dragged to the Speaker's chair—perhaps running to the Speaker's chair!—not only by two sides of this chamber but by two close friends and mentors.

To the Chief Government Whip, the member for Lalor: I think the reason we get on so well is our connection to education. Sitting in the gallery today is my older sister. She's the lesser known of our family but the most important one because she has been a teacher for over 35 years and is the real star of the show. She, alongside the member for Lalor, believes in the power of education in the transformation of children's lives. In some ways that's a small part of my commitment to civics education. Sitting next to her is my brother, the Hon. Cameron Dick MP—someone who I'm enormously proud of for his achievements, but most importantly because he's my brother.

To the member for Riverina, the one who's always offering free advice, whether I like to hear it or not: the kindness that he and his wonderful wife, Catherine, have shown me since I became a member of this place is something I'll never forget. He's a great person, a fine parliamentarian, and I'm honoured that he seconded my nomination today. To the member for Indi and the member for Kennedy: thank you for your very gracious remarks. But, more importantly, thank you for the opportunity for me to seek your counsel, as I do from so many others.

When I took the chair for the first time on 26 July three years ago, I spoke about how I envisioned the chamber to be a place of ideas and energy, where debate flowed and where the very best of ideas were exchanged in a respectful manner. And over the last three years I've been committed to making this place a place of change—a respectful and safe workplace. I'm proud of the progress we have made, but I realise that there's more to be done. Today I recommit myself to this. This term, I will continue to look for ways to improve the standards in this chamber. As I said, more work needs to be done.

I continue to practise the principles instilled in me by my late parents, Allan and Joan. How you treat others is how you should expect to be treated. No role or title, elected or otherwise, exempts us from our obligation to create and foster a culture of safety, integrity and inclusion. Everyone who walks through these doors has the right to feel safe, respected and supported. In the parliament, I will not tolerate disrespectful behaviour, because the behaviour we show one another in this chamber matters. It matters to me, it matters to those who have chosen you and it should matter to everyone in Australia. Robust debate is essential, but our words carry weight and our behaviour sets a tone that extends far beyond these walls.

There's no question that we live in the best country in the world, with one of the safest democracies on the planet. But, increasingly, democracy around the world is under pressure. In the last parliament, I set my eyes on lifting civics knowledge and education, and, as has been said, I was proud to visit over 160 schools, across every corner of Australia, as part of the civics program. But today I'm inviting all members to join me in a new push to improve civics education across all our communities. Today I announce a new civics agenda. I proudly today commit to visiting every single electorate in this country.

In this parliament I want to continue to champion and strengthen our engagement with young Australians through initiatives like the Parliament in Schools program, the Parliament House national roadshow and of course the National Youth Parliament because I want to ensure that parliament is understood, accessible and representative of every Australian, not just in the cities but across the country and in regional and remote parts of our continent. I want to ensure that young Australians, no matter where they live, can learn about our democracy, see how it works and understand how they can take part in shaping its future. This isn't symbolic—because this parliament belongs to all of us.

I'd like to finish briefly with some final thanks. To the Prime Minister: I've been deeply impressed by your commitment to respect and governing with humility. Prime Minister, you often talk about your late mum and how proud she would be of you taking high office; I can relate to that. I thank you for the trust and respect that you've shown me—more than anyone in this place—and I see your commitment for traditions and the deep respect that you show to our parliamentary system, all the while never forgetting your roots and where you've come from.

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her gracious remarks, and I want to share with the House a few personal reflections about her. I've seen firsthand her care and respect for the people she represents. Spending a week in her beautiful electorate of Farrer was an experience I won't forget. I deeply valued seeing that part of Australia but, more importantly, I valued spending time with you, getting to know you as a person. Your grit and determination were on show during that week and every other week that I've seen you in this parliament, and I'm really looking forward to working with you in this parliament.

To my old friend the Leader of the Nationals—both elected in the class of 2016—I value your company, your insights into regional Australia and, of course, the ribbing you like to give me from time to time. To the member for Watson, my friend of 30 years: thank you for your continued wisdom, support and leadership in this place. To the member for Mitchell: while you've been a presence in this chamber for many years, I look forward to working with you in your new role, and I know you will do an excellent job—just not too well, I hope!

To former speaker Tony Smith, who is with me today but with me most weeks and who takes my calls and answers all the questions that I have—no other Speakers have had a relationship like the one I've had with you—I thank you for your wise advice and all of your excellent, excellent rulings that I rely on from time to time. To Claressa Surtees and Peter Banson, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of this House: I once again look forward to working alongside you for another term. Your continued support, advice and professionalism for the teams you lead add to our democracy, and I'm truly grateful for your support.

And, lastly, to all members: thank you again for this great honour. I promise to respect and commit to serve this House with impartiality, diligence and a deep sense of responsibility. Now let's get to work.

I thank the House.

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