Australia’s Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick, has called for unity among the world’s parliaments after being elected president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), saying his election should not be viewed as a victory for one candidate over others.
Speaking after his election in Arusha, Tanzania, on Friday, October 9, Dick expressed gratitude to members who supported his candidacy and those who voted for the other candidates, describing his appointment as the greatest honour of his life.
“To be elected the 32nd president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union is the greatest honour of my life,” Dick said in his first address to the organisation’s members.
He thanked delegates from the IPU’s different geopolitical groups and regions for the trust they had placed in him, acknowledging both his supporters and those who backed his competitors.
“Today, there are no winners and losers. Today, the IPU has spoken with one voice. This is democracy,” he said.
His remarks emphasised the importance of respecting democratic outcomes and maintaining cooperation after a competitive election, particularly within an organisation that brings together national parliaments from across the world.
Dick was elected during the 153rd IPU Assembly at the Arusha International Convention Centre, succeeding Tanzania’s Tulia Ackson, who had served as the organisation’s president since October 2023.
The Australian Speaker will lead the IPU for the 2026–2029 term. His election places him at the head of an international organisation that promotes parliamentary diplomacy, democratic governance, peace and cooperation among legislatures.
The IPU presidency carries responsibility for representing the organisation internationally, chairing its statutory meetings and helping advance its work among member parliaments. Dick’s first remarks signalled an emphasis on collective participation rather than divisions arising from the election.
His acknowledgement of those who supported other candidates was particularly notable in a body representing countries with different political systems, regional priorities and international interests. The challenge for the new president will be to turn that call for unity into practical cooperation on the issues confronting parliaments and their citizens.
The election took place as the 153rd Assembly concluded its five-day meeting in Arusha, which brought parliamentarians together to discuss governance, inclusion, trust and opportunities for communities.