India’s Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has extended warm congratulations to Milton Dick on his re-election as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 48th Parliament of Australia.
“Warmly congratulated my good friend Milton Dick MP on his re-election as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 48th Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.”
He also congratulated Dick on the Labor Party’s historic victory in the recent federal election and conveyed his best wishes for a successful tenure.
“I look forward to continuing our close cooperation to further strengthen India-Australia ties, including deeper engagement between our democratic institutions.”
Earlier, Dick had taken to Facebook to express his gratitude, saying:
“I am so honoured to have been appointed, unopposed, as the Government nominee for Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 48th Parliament.”
As part of parliamentary convention, Dick announced he would exclude himself from all Labor caucus meetings and would now seek support from fellow MPs to continue in the role.
Dick was first elected Speaker in 2022 and is known for his promise of impartiality, accessibility, and commitment to a safe workplace at Parliament House. A former Brisbane City Councillor and Queensland Labor state secretary, he was elected as the Member for Oxley in 2016 and has since become Queensland’s third federal Speaker since World War II.
Though he once made headlines for being ejected from Parliament after bringing in Muppet toys, Dick now holds one of the most prestigious and powerful posts in Canberra. The Speaker ranks above the deputy prime minister and even former prime ministers in the official order of precedence.
As Speaker, Dick plays a crucial ceremonial and administrative role and is responsible for ensuring debates in the House of Representatives are conducted according to standing orders—a challenge he shares with his Indian counterpart, Om Birla, who presides over 543 members of the Lok Sabha.
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