Helen Haines has been officially sworn in for her third term as Independent Federal Member for Indi.
The 48th Parliament of Australia was formally opened on Tuesday by Governor-General Sam Mostyn, who addressed all members and senators in the Senate chamber.
Dr Haines said it was an immense privilege to again represent Indi, marking the fifth consecutive parliamentary term in which the electorate is being served by an independent.
"I will continue to make every minute count, influencing national debate and advocating for a fair share for Indi and regional Australia," she said.
Dr Haines was one of the first speakers in the House of Representatives, rising to endorse the re-nomination of Hon Milton Dick MP as Speaker for his second term.
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She noted the commitment of the Speaker to civic education, including visits in 2024 to the towns of Marysville and Buxton in Indi as part of his visits to 160 schools across Australia.
"He met with students there who had lived through bushfires and who live in isolation. He talked with them, not to them, and he talked about their place in democracy," she said.
While much of this week in Parliament is dedicated to the first speeches of new members, Dr Haines was already back to work.
"Soon after my re-election, I wrote to key ministers of the government outlining the key priorities I will be pursuing in this 48th Parliament," she said.
"I'm setting meetings with the government on critical issues including health, housing, energy, childcare and trade.
"And, with a much-diminished opposition, the work of the crossbench in holding the government to account and scrutinising legislation is more important than ever."
Dr Haines was scheduled to put her first question to the government in Question Time on Thursday.
