Susan Templeman (Macquarie, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'm proud to move:

That Ms Claydon be elected Deputy Speaker of this House.

Every one of us who was in this chamber in the last parliament knows that the member for Newcastle runs a tight ship when she sits as Deputy Speaker in the Speaker's chair. We know that she's going to listen carefully to both the person who is speaking and the interjectors. We know that she's going to be thoughtful in her remarks. At times they express warmth or empathy for the MP who has just spoken or the issues they've spoken about, and at other times they remind the previous speaker that she is not, in fact, Mr Speaker. We know that she is not going to put up with anything outside the rules of this place. When sternness is required, it is employed efficiently and effectively by the member for Newcastle.

In her role as Deputy Speaker, I have witnessed the member for Newcastle's confidence and authority in this chamber grow. When I look back at the words expressed here three years ago by those who nominated and congratulated her, the consistent themes were her diligence, a strong work ethic, a smart and principled person, and a commitment to serve this parliament. These qualities were all in evidence in the 47th Parliament. To that praise, I would add that the member for Newcastle is an absolute pleasure to work with, an excellent confidante with whom to work through complex issues and terrific company, particularly on a visit to meet with the Tibetan government in exile and the Dalai Lama.

While the member for Newcastle has diligently served the parliament, I have also had the privilege of seeing her in her community. As Special Envoy for the Arts, I visited her thriving arts community to learn about the wonderful visual arts and performing arts on offer and to hear how they can be even better supported. Like me, the member for Newcastle appreciates the richness and joy that the arts bring to our lives.

I want to end this nomination with the words spoken by the late Peta Murphy, who wisely nominated the member for Newcastle for her Deputy Speaker role three years ago. Peta said:

She embodies the qualities that are required not just to preside over but to enhance proceedings in this chamber, and she has the experience, commitment and work ethic to play an important role in ensuring that we bring in the reforms necessary to address the cultural problems that we know exist across this institution.

The member for Newcastle is a very worthy nominee for Deputy Speaker of this House.

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