by leave—In his recent encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, published in May this year, Pope Leo XIV wrote:

No sin, failure, humiliation or exclusion can diminish the profound value of a human life …

I reflect on these words as I rise to acknowledge the government's tabling of Australia's strategy for global abolition of the death penalty 2026. I oppose the death penalty, and while I open with the words of Pope Leo, my opposition is driven not by my religion but by my conscience. Indeed, allow me to quote from another great theologian, John Henry Newman, who famously declared, as if he were proposing a toast:

I shall drink to the Pope, if you please, still, to conscience first, and to the Pope afterwards.

When the former coalition government launched Australia's strategy for the abolition of the death penalty in 2018, it outlined four compelling reasons for opposing capital punishment. First, the death penalty is irrevocable. When justice fails and an innocent person has been executed, there can be no remedy. Second, it denies any opportunity for rehabilitation, redemption or reform. Third, there is no convincing evidence that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than life imprisonment. And, fourth, it is disproportionately imposed upon society's most vulnerable, including the poor, minorities and those least able to defend themselves.

These were compelling arguments in 2018, and they are compelling still today. I acknowledge that the government's updated strategy reaffirms these principles, but, personally and guided by conscience, I believe there is a fifth. Although in order of importance, I put this one first, right at the top. That is that the death penalty is inherently inhumane. It violates the sanctity of life and the fundamental dignity of the individual. This is not to diminish the gravity of heinous crimes nor the suffering of the victims and their families. Justice must be served. The gravest crimes demand the most severe penalties. The rights of victims must be honoured, and society must be protected, but we can condemn the crime, punish the offender and uphold justice without resorting to taking a human life. Human dignity is not something bestowed by governments. It is not something earned through good behaviour. It is not something forfeited through wrongdoing. I believe no state should possess the power to extinguish it.

My office received the government's strategy only last evening, affording me limited time this morning—indeed, little more than the past hour—to take a quick read and formulate my remarks this morning in response to the tabling of the report by the special envoy. My colleagues and I will therefore examine the strategy in detail before offering a formal response on behalf of the coalition, but I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless work of those who have championed this cause over many years, in particular the Parliamentary Friends of Global Abolition of the Death Penalty, co-chaired by the envoy and Senator Dean Smith. I also want to acknowledge the fine work of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, particularly their Human Rights subcommittee, which tabled a comprehensive report in December 2024 on its inquiry into Australia's efforts to advocate for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. Their work reminds us that some causes are greater than partisan politics.

Each of us is privileged to serve in parliament, and we carry a responsibility to uphold and promote the values that define Australia as one of the world's greatest liberal democracies—values of freedom, equality and a fair go. I have long argued that a nation's foreign policy is an outward expression of its values and interests, and, if we believe in the sanctity of human life and if we believe in the dignity of the individual, then those convictions must find expression in our dealings with the world. That is why advocating for the global abolition of the death penalty must remain a core tenet of Australian foreign policy, not because we seek to lecture others but because we have a responsibility to stand for what we believe is right and because the universal dignity of human life knows no national borders.

Justice must always be pursued, but justice must never come at the expense of our humanity. That is the principle I stand for, and it is the principle Australia must continue to advocate for.