President Christine Kangaloo has appointed nine Independent Senators to serve in the 13th Republican Parliament, which officially opened today with a ceremonial session at the Red House.

The appointees include returning and new voices drawn from diverse professional backgrounds, law, economics, medicine, engineering, academia, human rights, and business.

Among the most seasoned is Anthony Vieira, SC, who returns for a fourth consecutive term, having previously served in the 10th, 11th, and 12th Parliaments. A Senior Counsel since 2023, Vieira is known for his legal expertise in civil, industrial, and criminal matters, and has contributed to major legislative reforms, including the Copyright and Telecommunications Bills.