Filling the speaker’s chair

This week we bade farewell to Bronwyn Bishop, who has occupied the Speaker’s chair since the last election.

Speculation is rife about who might replace her as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. But first it’s worth reflecting on what the speaker does and how the role is best performed.

Characteristic of our ‘Washminster system’, Australia has a hybrid form of speakership. The Speaker does not take an active, partisan role in proceedings – unlike their American counterpart – but nor are they required to be so independent and impartial that they resign from their political party, as they do in the UK. Instead, convention means speakers do not generally attend party room meetings; a convention with which Ms Bishop did not comply.

Speakers are usually drawn from the government party and, perhaps as a result, opposition members are far more likely to be ‘sin binned’ (suspended from the chamber for a period). Whether this practice raises the standard of parliamentary behaviour or merely serves as a bit of sport for an unoccupied opposition backbencher is an open question.

Speakers should take the job seriously, and exercise prudence and impartiality. Names being mentioned as contenders for the chair include Phillip Ruddock, Tony Smith, Ross Vasta, Russell Broadbent and Andrew Southcott and the Deputy Speaker Bruce Scott.

But perhaps more than prudence is needed to keep parliamentary behaviour in order, as even a cursory glance at proceedings will show.  And with WA Liberal senator Linda Reynolds saying it would be nice if a woman three her hat into the ring, I’d like to put forward some alternative candidates.

Dame Edna Everage: Her formidable and steely glare over those rhinestone-encrusted spectacles is bound to keep the possums in line. 

Lee Lin Chin: The veteran newscaster’s skills in memorising bulletins would undoubtedly come in handy for getting across Standing Orders. Plus, she’s no stranger to use of the steely glare when needed.

The entirety of the Matildas: Australia’s world-ranked soccer team is no pushover. And they could probably scissor-kick a ball with guided-missile accuracy right into the unruliest of back benches when needed.

But even these candidates may not be enough to bring gravitas back into the House, and lead to an improvement in parliamentary behaviour. Everybody’s focus is on the Speaker’s chair right now. But our politicians should also take a long, hard look at themselves.