Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (12:05): Mr Speaker, congratulations. The fact that you have received such an overwhelming majority is a credit to your standing in this place. It's a credit to your standing professionally. But it's also a credit to who you are, your integrity as a human being. I was very pleased when I heard that you were interested in running for the position of Speaker, because I believe that this House needs to be treated with respect. This is a debating chamber by definition, and it's one in which we should have open, free and frank discussion but do it in a courteous way wherever possible. It's one in which ideas are exchanged in the interests of the people who send us here, and we should always remember that. You are someone who has always conducted yourself with extraordinary propriety and conducted yourself in a way in which you engage with people across the chamber, across our caucus, across benches. I note the very fine words by the member for Kennedy in support of your nomination. It shows, I think, with the result of the ballot as well, that you've been able to already show even some new members that you will be someone who brings great dignity to the office. To the former Speaker: I thank you for your speakership. It was very difficult following on from the former member for Casey, who's in the chamber here today, who I believe was an absolutely outstanding Speaker and conducted himself with incredible dignity in what was often a very difficult time, particularly during the pandemic as well, where the rules in terms of the way that this parliament conducts itself were set aside on a bipartisan basis just so that we could continue to function as a liberal democracy, which is so important. To you, Mr Speaker: I'm absolutely convinced that you will be outstanding as well. There's no doubt that you're someone who's honest. You're someone who has been a friend of mine for some period of time now, and you're someone, as well, who has been a wise counsel to me as Leader of the Opposition in my former position. I thank you for the support that you gave me to hold that high office and have that great honour of leading the Australian Labor Party and, throughout what was a difficult last term, provide counsel as part of the group of people who would engage across the caucus and be a bit of a sounding board for people. One of the things I've noticed about you is that people will come to you for assistance and guidance, and that's something that a Speaker needs to do. The office needs to be open for any member of parliament. I forget how many new members there are here—thirty— The SPEAKER: Five. Mr ALBANESE: Thirty-five new members here. Thank you, Mr Speaker—already showing your capacity! For me, 76 was the only number I was focused on, and we got 77, and I thank the member for Gilmore for that. But, going forward, new members in particular—I encourage them. When I got here, being a dork of parliamentary and political processes, I actually read the standing orders before I got here and read House of Representatives Practice. The rule book does matter in terms of getting things done. It's not just a matter of being pedantic. I know that from time to time there have even been criticisms passed in this place that people are too concerned about parliamentary processes. That's how rules are made. That's how— An honourable member: A minority opinion. Mr ALBANESE: Indeed. That is how laws are made in this country, and it is important that this parliament operate in a way that brings pride to people. In many countries of the world, people stand in front of tanks to try to get the right to vote. In Ukraine at the moment the people of Ukraine are standing up against an autocratic regime which is engaged in a brutal and illegal invasion. They are standing up for democracy in Ukraine. We in this parliament should be very proud that we had an election on 21 May, we had the swearing in of a new government at 9 am on the Monday morning and I was able to represent Australia at the Quad leaders meeting, with the foreign minister. It brings credit to our system as a whole that you can have a seamless, orderly transition of power in a democratic country. That's important. It's important, though, that we respect the fact that we didn't elect just one party; we elected a range of people to this House and to the Senate. Those views need to be able to be heard in a way which produces better outcomes, and your role, Mr Speaker, is to ensure that that happens in an orderly way. I congratulate you very much, Mr Speaker. I look forward to working with you and I look forward to your rulings and deliberations being absolutely fair and correct, as I'm sure they will be. It's a great honour to be Speaker of the House of Representatives. Well done.