Damian Drum (Nicholls, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That Mr Hogan be elected Deputy Speaker of this House.

In doing so, I would like to recall, when I was first elected to this House, I received a phone call from the then CEO of the Bendigo Bank, Mike Hurst, who said: 'Congratulations on the win. When you go up there, you're going to be able to meet a mate of mine called Kevin Hogan. I reckon you might really like him.' Well, I've never heard truer words spoken down the phone, because from the time I got up here and met Kevin Hogan he has been a really, really firm friend not just to me but to all of those in the National Party and the greater parliament.

In March last year the member for Page was elected in the House to the position of Deputy Speaker, and he has held the position with great aplomb. Over the past 15 months, we've seen the role of Deputy Speaker carried out with a genuine sense of fairness and impartiality during some very trying and challenging times. Control in the House when there has been a minority government, working through the standing orders and the parliamentary procedures to ensure there has always been smooth operation on the floor of this parliament, is something that shouldn't be underestimated.

First elected to this parliament in 2013, the member for Page has conducted himself with dignity and a commitment to strongly represent his constituents in northern New South Wales—certainly those coastal towns of Evans Head, Wooli, Sapphire Beach, Casino, Grafton and Kyogle, and Nimbin, where he picked up a whopping 13 per cent of the primary vote! The member for Page represents a diverse community, with agricultural production—beef, dairy and fruit—and substantial fishing, timber and tourism industries.

About 26 years ago, Kevin won TattsLotto when he married Karen, and, with their three kids, Sean, Rosie and Bridget, they make a fantastic family. For those of us on this side that understand the seat of Page, we shouldn't underestimate Karen's involvement in achieving the Hogans' fantastic representation.

Often we get to see what members do outside of this House. The member for Page, teaming up with the member for Bennelong every week, has a very successful tennis game going against the member for Grayndler and the member for Wills. There are a fair few bragging rights associated with the member for Page when it comes to tennis. Australian history is littered with many great partnerships. Langer and Hayden come to mind, as do Curtin and Chifley, Graham Kennedy and Bert Newton, and Daryl and Ossie. While I don't want to overstate the importance of this position, I think that in years to come we may hear the names Smith and Hogan spoken of in similar tones.

We saw firsthand last year that he's a man of his word. He claimed that Australia needed leadership stability and, when that didn't happen, he stayed true to his word and went to the crossbench. His electorate have acknowledged that sincerity. He is a man who works tirelessly for his electorate, and the people of Page have acknowledged that leadership. This is an important, challenging and privileged position within the parliament. I have much pleasure in nominating Kevin Hogan, the member for Page, for the position of Deputy Speaker.

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