Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the National Party, I'd like to associate us with the beautiful words of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate today and to offer our condolences following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. As the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, his influence spanned continents and generations, offering a voice of faith and conscience in a rapidly shifting world. As a practising Anglican myself and a believer in the enduring authority of Scripture, I speak today with a deep respect for the role the Pope holds within the Christian tradition. Whilst there were many theological and geopolitical positions taken by His Holiness that I do not share, I honour his unwavering personal commitment to the Christian life and his lifelong service to the church.

Pope Francis's papacy was marked by a distinctive emphasis on humility and personal witness. He sought to return the church's attention to the needs of the poor, to the power of mercy and to the Christian call to serve, not be served. In that way, he reflected something profoundly Christ-like and something all leaders, secular or sacred, would do well to remember.

Yet, beyond the institution and its leadership, what I reflect on most at moments like this is the vital role that faith plays in binding communities together. In a time of social atomisation, where institutions are questioned and moral relativism grows, faith—true, personal and scripturally grounded—offers not just comfort but direction. In communities across Australia, our churches remain cornerstones of social cohesion. They are more than buildings; they're places of fellowship, moral instruction, family guidance and intergenerational care.

Faith binds us to each other and roots us in something greater than the present moment. While my views on global policy often differed from those of Pope Francis, I admired his consistency in reminding us that Christian life begins not in ideology but in worship, repentance and service. Pope Francis once urged pastors to be shepherds with the smell of the sheep, a vivid metaphor for leaders who remain close to those they serve, grounded in the realities of everyday life. His words resonate, I believe, beyond the clergy, reminding all in positions of responsibility, whether in faith, public life or community service, that authentic leadership begins with humility, proximity and a deep understanding of the people whose trust you carry.

For Australians, particularly those in the Catholic tradition, his papacy was a call to re-engage with their faith. For the broader Christian community, it was a reminder that the church still has a role to play in the moral formation of our children, the defence of life, the importance of marriage and family, and the preservation of a common good grounded in eternal truth. And, at a time when many may seem to want the church to reflect the world, Pope Francis never ceased to remind us that the church should instead call the world to a higher standard. While the tone and the content of that call may have differed from that of other leaders in the Christian tradition, the essential message remained: Christ is the way, the truth and the life. As we mark his passing, we are also reminded of the temporary nature of human institutions and the eternal nature of divine truth. Leaders come and go, but the gospel remains. The word of God stands forever.

On behalf of the National Party, I extend our condolences to Australia's Catholic community, to all those mourning this loss around the world and to those within the Vatican who supported Pope Francis's ministry. We also offer our prayers for the new pontiff that he might be guided by the Holy Spirit in truth, courage and fidelity, to the teachings of Christ.

In his own words, Pope Francis once said, 'Those who love do not stand idly by but serve others.' This is a truth that I hope everyone in this chamber can affirm. May we carry it forward in our own lives with conviction. May His Holiness rest in the peace of Christ and may those of us entrusted with a public responsibility draw strength from the eternal values of faith, service and truth.