Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

It is my honour, and a rare one at that, to second the nomination for the honourable member for Oxley to be Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 48th Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. The fact that nominations have been moved from either side of the floor says a great deal about the person the member for Lalor and I seek to continue as the 32nd Speaker in this chamber—the people's house. The member for Oxley upheld the finest Westminster traditions in the previous parliament, and I have every confidence he will do the same in this term. He is well versed in the Practice and is a scholar of the precedents of past speakers, which can often determine a ruling on a particular point of order or a course of action to be taken. Impartiality has been a feature and the hallmark of his speakership. I have served under seven Speakers, and each has brought their own level of panache and style to the position.

The member for Oxley is no different in this regard. I rate him highly, and I'm not alone in that. He has earnt the respect of all who have previously sat on these benches and deserves another term in this highest of offices. A good Speaker is one who has presence in the chair, who lets the debate flow without ever losing control and who allows the robustness of question time whilst keeping the tenor and tone at an acceptable level for politicians and the public alike. That is this Speaker, who fulfils his obligations also with humour, with pleasantry and, sometimes, with even a degree of clever wit.

A great Speaker is one who uses his position to do good beyond the realms of this place. That, too, is this Speaker—let me elaborate. Many a sitting night last term, I had the privilege of attending a function in the Speaker's chamber, where he happily hosted everyone from international diplomats to captains of industry and ordinary, everyday Australians for whom such an invitation was so very much appreciated. One such industry person was Stephen Ferguson, a close friend of both the Speaker's and mine, who represents so many hotels which employ thousands of people. Pubs are a quintessential part of the Australian way of life, especially in regional areas. For the Speaker to acknowledge this in an era of wowsers, when such people and sectors are sometimes pooh-poohed, showed courage and determination, I believe. Bravo, Mr Speaker.

I also particularly like what the Speaker is doing to improve the education of young people in civics and democracy. The informal vote at the 3 May federal election was way too high—disturbingly so. The member for Oxley took it upon himself when he first landed this job, in July 2022, to do what he could to take the parliament to the classroom, especially in remote parts of our nation. This has been done before, obviously, but the Speaker has taken it to a new level. He has been to Bullarah, Charters Towers, Croppa Creek, Gravesend, Kangaroo Island, King Island, Longreach, Muttaburra, Orbost, Pallamallawa, Port Hedland, Rowena and many, many others. He's been everywhere, man—and he's coming to a postcode near you. The Speaker wants Australian schoolchildren to know the difference between local, state and federal governments. He seeks to ensure people in the future make their ballot count through understanding how critical their vote is, what sacrifices have been made to have a fair and free democracy, and the different systems in place in various legislatures across the country. This is vital work and has been admirably promoted by this Speaker, and I commend him for this.

As well, he is a fearless advocate for Australia's national flag. He has taken our famous red, white and blue ensign to electorates far and wide and will again embark on this popular program in this term of parliament. This is well received wherever and whenever it is held, as you would expect from those who love our national flag, as we all should. There are those who would wish norms be changed and traditions go by the wayside—not this Speaker. Whilst he is progressive in some ways, he is very much conservative in other approaches. I think he strikes a good balance—the right balance. The promotion of our democratic system and our flag is important to the nation. The Speaker recognises this and is using his office and his position for education and for the enhancement of these two cornerstones of our country.

Additionally, what he has done to foster diplomatic ties and advance and strengthen collective interests with our Blue Pacific friends is encouraging and outstanding. As chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Union's Asia-Pacific Group, he oversaw a webinar series on women's leadership and youth engagement in the Pacific. This is making vital inroads into a region which is a really contested space at the moment. Thank you, Mr Speaker, for what you have achieved and pursued in the past. I can think of no better person in this parliament to occupy the presiding chair and to continue your significant work in this place and beyond. I truly wish you every success, good humour and limited need to use 94(a)—except maybe for some of those around me. I'll let you know when I feel they should go!

The Clerk: Does the member for Oxley accept the nomination?

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