Joanne Ryan (Lalor, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the honourable member for Oxley do take the Chair of this House as Speaker.

Clerk, there is no better member of this House to take the chair of Speaker than the member for Oxley. While there are many stories I could share, and some, I dare say, I should not, nothing demonstrates why the member for Oxley should be the Speaker of this House in the 48th Parliament more than his outstanding record in the 47th. The member for Oxley was a speaker for all members of the House of Representatives, extending the same opportunities, fairness and, yes, even leniency to every member, regardless of political affiliation or position—although I suspect the former member for Moreton may have a word or two to say about the leniency part! As members would be aware, the whip's office is located just outside the members' entrance to the Speaker's office, and nothing illustrates the member for Oxley's approach to the speakership more clearly than the daily sight of MPs from the coalition, the Greens and the crossbench freely wandering into the Speaker's office. They'd do so with some comfort and receive the welcome that would be extended to the lifelong friends that the member for Oxley has made throughout his journey in the Labor Party. In my time as a member of this House, I can say with confidence that this was a unique aspect of the speakership.

I can also attest to the member for Oxley's experience when we served together on the Standing Committee on Procedure. This is evident not only in his deep understanding of the standing orders and House of Representatives Practice, or in the way he clearly and respectfully explains matters of procedure to members, but also in how he has drawn on his time on that committee, particularly during our inquiry into question time, to inform his conduct in the chair. The member for Oxley has taken the feedback we received from the public about how parliament's 'Hollywood hour' should function. His approach to question time reflects a genuine effort to ensure it better serves the public interest. As Speaker in the 47th Parliament, the member for Oxley also worked to open up the parliament to the public through improved education programs, the welcoming of charities and organisations in the building to showcase their work, and, yes, his high-quality Instagram reels. The member for Oxley has been committed to giving the Australian people greater insight into the life and work of their parliament, the people's house and the behind-the-scenes workers, whom the member for Oxley calls 'the beating heart of Australia's most visited building'. He has shared it all.

Above all else, the Parliament in Schools program stands out as one of his most significant contributions. As a former educator and now parliamentarian, I understand deeply the importance of civics education. The member for Oxley's tireless efforts in this area have strengthened the health of our democracy at a time when democratic institutions are being tested around the world. During the 47th Parliament, the Speaker visited more than 160 schools across more than 70 electorates, including the amazing Iramoo Primary School in Wyndham Vale in my own community. With a replica mace in hand, or perhaps carrying one of the flags that fly above this building, the member for Oxley brings the values of our democracy into local classrooms, and 70-plus MPs now know that, in at least one class in one school in their electorate, there is a settled opinion from young locals on whether pineapple belongs on pizza.

Under the member for Oxley's speakership, I'm pleased to say that this commitment to civics education will now be extended even further through the creation of a National Youth Parliament—the first of its kind at a federal level. That he is also the brother of a public school teacher is a welcome and fitting bonus. Members, while it is with some hesitation that I'll no longer have a Milton to sit beside in the Labor caucus meetings, I wholeheartedly commend the member for Oxley to the chair of this House.

The Clerk: Member for Kennedy, we need to conclude the election of a Speaker before you have a chance to speak. Is the motion seconded?

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