on indulgence—I want to acknowledge Meredith Leigh, who joins us in the gallery today. On Friday, Ms Leigh retires as First Parliamentary Counsel. For more than 25 years in the Office of Parliamentary Counsel Meredith has built a distinguished career in legislative drafting, contributing directly to the development of Commonwealth law through the drafting of literally thousands of bills and legislative instruments. Appointed First Parliamentary Counsel in 2021, Meredith is only the second woman to lead Commonwealth legislative drafting in our 125 years of federation.

Meredith has absolutely embodied the spirit that is at the heart of the great noble calling that is public service. Meredith has developed serious expertise across a range of areas and led the OPC in the successful delivery of numerous high-profile, complex and urgent legislative reforms. I know that my government has definitely tested Meredith and OPC's capacity with the amount of reform that we are determined to pursue.

This place is at the heart of Australia's democracy, a democracy that we should all be very proud of. Meredith has done so much to strengthen the beat of this heart. On behalf of all of us here, Meredith, I say thank you for your wonderful service. I wish you all the very best as you begin your next chapter.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

on indulgence—On behalf of the coalition, I associate with the Prime Minister's fine words of gratitude to Meredith Leigh. Meredith, with almost three decades of service to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and, of course, five years, as we've just heard, as the First Parliamentary Counsel, is the very definition of extraordinary service to our parliament and to our nation. Most of us couldn't fathom the volume of bills and instruments that have come across your desk over those 30 years, both those you've drafted personally and, of course, many others that I'm sure you have reviewed. I have no doubt there's not a single area of law that you haven't touched over the course of that time.

Thank you most sincerely for the contributions you've made to the security and prosperity of our great nation, be it through tax or corporations law, be it through gambling reform, counterterrorism legislation—and much, much more. What not only makes our institutions function but builds trust is the quiet and dedicated service of people like you, who love our country. Thank you for your leadership, your work—and for dealing with all of us! Having been a minister for many years and a parliamentarian, of course, we know that the pressure you face often is enormous and you are under enormous time pressure. We do have the greatest of gratitude for what you have done.

Your family should be ever so proud of your service. The very best wishes for your next chapter.