STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE

Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (15:12): Mr Speaker, one of the very few things that there is no political divide on—from every member of the House of Representatives—is our regard for you and the job you have done as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mr ALBANESE: He indulges you enough, so just say thank you and move on! I consider, Mr Speaker, that you are the best speaker that I've seen in my time in the House of Representatives.

That is to your great credit, and, on the weekend, that was acknowledged in your election as President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Now, that is a body that has been around for 138 years but has never had anyone from this part of the world as its president. And, at a time where democracy is under challenge, which is the truth, where democratic values need to be nurtured, where young people, worryingly, in surveys by the Lowy Institute, for example—the figures on democracy versus authoritarianism are not going in the right direction.

Your absolute vigilance and the work that you do, going into schools, right across the parliament, right across the country, to promote democracy, your bringing together of the Youth Parliament for the first time here as well—your commitment to civic education is a good thing that I'm sure you will now spread to other parts of the world. Your election is a great personal achievement for you, but, importantly, it's a proud moment for our nation as well, for Australia.

When Australia has a candidate for a position, we back them. I know that your candidacy had the backing of—I saw people from across the parliament there in Tanzania backing your candidacy, and that is a good thing. Australia is a middle power.

But we punch above our weight on the global stage. That's a good thing. Your election provides another forum in which Australia will have a louder voice as a result of your success.

I have no doubt that you will be a champion for democracy at a time when democracy needs all the friends it can get. Congratulations on a personal level to you, Mr Speaker, and thank you as well for the work you have done in promoting Australia. I thought your campaign, with the kangaroos and the paraphernalia, was very well conducted.

It showed your campaign internationally was as successful as your campaigns in Oxley have been. I wish you well.