Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I second the nomination of the member for McEwen as Deputy Speaker. The opposition today has shown a tremendous display of bipartisanship in accepting the government's choice for Speaker unopposed. Will the government now reciprocate that approach and support the opposition's nominee for Deputy Speaker? Given that the member for McEwen is the most experienced person for this position, it should.

The member for McEwen has served in both the state and federal parliaments. In this place he has served on the Speaker's panel, been a government whip and served on several committees. In the 44th Parliament the member for McEwen served as the Second Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives. The member for McEwen has always been a passionate advocate for improving parliamentary standards and the working of this place. He is well regarded by members on all sides for his level of professionalism and integrity and the impartial way in which he chairs. His commitment to the role cannot be questioned. The member for McEwen is aware of and understands the Australian people's view that parliamentary standards need to be improved. In working in this position as the Deputy Speaker alongside the member for Casey, the member for McEwen would maintain the dignity and respect of the chair that the 45th Parliament needs. His becoming Deputy Speaker would be in keeping with the view of the member for Sturt, who championed the view that the Deputy Speaker should be a member of the opposition. In this context, obviously, the Deputy Speaker should be the member for McEwen. We support that position put forward by the member for Sturt in the spirit of bipartisanship championed by the Prime Minister.

The member for McEwen and I are neighbours. I know how well respected and regarded he is across his electorate. The member for McEwen has vast experience in the chair and in representing his community. I wholeheartedly second the nomination.

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