Sue Lines (President) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Clerk. I humbly accept the nomination. Firstly, congratulations to all senators sworn in today and, particularly, to new senators. Welcome to this wonderful chamber. I wish you well in your time here.

I am seeking your support today to be the President of the Senate. If you bestow that honour on me, I will continue to carry out the role of President in the impartial way that I've shown to this chamber over the last three years. It is an extraordinary privilege to preside over the Australian Senate. This chamber is grounded in tradition, where the voices from every state and territory are brought together to represent and review the laws that shape our nation. My role as President is not to take sides but to ensure that every voice is heard—and heard in a respectful way—and that our rules and procedures are applied with consistency, clarity and integrity. I will continue to do my utmost to be a fair and consultative president if I am so honoured as to be elected today.

As only the second female President to hold this role, it is significant to me to look back at what I have achieved in my first term as President and at the ideas and aims I still have to accomplish. I look forward to you putting your trust in me and supporting me to continue my work as President of the Senate. Thank you, senators.