Tickets to the Speaker Box

It’s odd isn’t it that for a job, where tradition requires the speaker to be dragged unwillingly to the box , the choice of speaker is surprisingly competitive – despite the new parliamentary reforms which call for more independence and less participation of the speaker in debates.
Rob Oakeshott, the verbose yet charming indie MP has withdrawn his nomination as Speaker for the HOR as discussed this morning in the SMH:

Mr Oakeshott backed away after a meeting in Sydney yesterday with Mr Abbott and the manager of opposition business, Christopher Pyne. The opposition was concerned Mr Oakeshott becoming speaker would be impractical and unconstitutional. The Labor Party harboured the same concerns but avoided stating them publicly. – The SMH (Phillip Corey 21/9/10)

The Role of Speaker
The Australian constitution states that the first order of business by elected members of the lower house is to elect a speaker. Ostensibly, this is achieved by secret ballot of the 150 sitting members – however this election voted en bloc, and rather reflects an historical precedent of party deals and historical precedent that the government nominate the position of speaker and deputy speaker, while the second deputy speaker is filled by a member of the opposition.
Becoming speaker supervises rather than participates in proceedings. He or she does not normally take part in debate and does not vote in the House except in the event of numbers being equal, in which case the Speaker has a casting vote. This last point is the reason behind the importance both parties are placing on who this sacrificing tie-breaker is in a hung parliament / minority government.
The previous speaker was the dry and entertaining Harry Jenkins, who oversaw what was considered to be one of the most unruly parliaments last term. His father had previously also been speaker when he was the member for the same seat.

Speaker Nominations in Minority Government
Problem 1
With a minority government, one would assume an independent speaker would be most welcome, as neither party loses an assured vote. However, Rob Oakeshott’s nominations raised questions about whether it was constitutionally possible for him to become speaker and still have a vote on specific legislation – this too also raises the complex question whether the Parliamentary Reform Agreement runs contrary to the intention of the constitution with an independent Speaker. Insights in to this I’ll cast over to the legal suits:
The online legal magazine ‘Lawyers Weekly’ said,

“Section 40 of the constitution makes clear that the speaker does not have a deliberative vote unless the ‘numbers are equal’, and then the speaker ‘shall have a casting vote’… “Therefore, under the constitution and consistent with past practice the speaker would not have a vote in the normal course of parliamentary business. However, in a parliament where the Gillard government has a majority of two – which would then be reduced to a majority of one if the vote of the speaker was removed – then it has to be anticipated that from time to time the speaker will be called upon to make a casting vote.”

Problem 2
The Nationals are pushing hard for the an elected position of speaker from their own ranks. Historically the Nats have selected one of their own as deputy speaker and are keen to have their own Mr. Bruce Scott instead of Mr. Oakeshott or a Liberal MP.
During the last parli term, Bruce Scott was and still is Second Deputy Speaker, to take the lead role for the Coalition. Mr Oakeshott said the Liberals should provide the Speaker because this would be ”a step towards the Westminster model of a truly independent speaker”.
Candidates

Harry Jenkins	Speaker for last term in parliament. As is tradition as an ALP speaker, he elected not wear the traditional robes. Non ALP Members typically wear the official robes.
Rob Oakeshott	Twitter and politico’s favourite speaker.The rather verbose independent had nominated himself for the role, but has now withdrawn due to the difficulty of ‘pairing’ him (See resources for Parliamentary Reform Agreement).
Bruce Scott	In HOR since 1990 for seat of maranoa. Former/current second deputy speaker. Presumed nomination from the coalition
	I’m obviously joking – but I think for a while there it was the press gallery’s wet dream.

For those interested, my bet is Harry Jenkins and Bruce Scott please suggest your predictions below – realistic, fantasy or otherwise.

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