Mr Milton Dick, Speaker of Australia’s House of Representatives, has been elected as the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly for the 2026–2029 term.
Mr Dick was in Abuja last week to consult with the Nigerian parliament and sought their support. The Chairman of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and an Executive Member of the IPU, Godswill Akpabio had assured him of the support of Nigeria and to mobilize the support of the Africa Group of the IPU to support him.
Announcing the results in Arusha on Friday, the outgoing IPU leader, Dr. Tulia Ackson, said Milton Dick secured 56 percent of the total votes. His fellow candidates, Ms Sahiba Gafarova (Speaker of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan) and Mr Rojo Edwards Silva (Senator, Chile), received 38 percent and 6 percent of the votes respectively.
Dr Tulia stated that Gafarova got 124 votes while Mr Milton Dick collected 182 votes and Mr Edward Silver received 21 votes.
“So dear colleagues, let me now announce the winner please. Allow me to announce the winner please. The winner of the election of a President for the term 2026 to 2029 is Mr. Milton Dick, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Australia,” she announced.
Prior to his election, Milton Dick said there was the need for inclusive leadership that takes account of countries and parliaments that may have limited influence in international discussions.
