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

Mr Speaker, I rise to second the nomination of the member for McEwen for the role of Deputy Speaker. As the member for Gellibrand has pointed out, the member for McEwen has a strong understanding of the role of the chair and also, like you, Mr Speaker, served in the team in the 45th Parliament. He also understands the dignity of this place. He understands deeply what it means to be a member of parliament and to represent his community, the people of McEwen. He cherishes every moment in this place. He cherishes being in the chair. And of course he's a great parliamentary performer, because no-one's got a quicker wit than the member for McEwen when he's not in the chair.

I'll be brief in my remarks so that we can get on with the job of this place as soon as possible, but I would say that the member for McEwen, as the member for Gellibrand said, is somebody who's authentic. He's also someone who the Australian public can relate to. He left school early. He did his apprenticeship. He worked his way through night school. He worked in the transport business and he was in the Victorian state parliament. He started Australia's first community emergency response team. And he's been elected to this place four times.

Like many Australians—and you, Mr Speaker—the member for McEwen has a love affair with cars, as we've heard highlighted already. He also has an adorable granddaughter, Ava, whom he now spends time doting on when he's not tinkering with his cars in his shed. I'm telling you this, Mr Speaker, because the member for McEwen is someone people can relate to, and having him in the chair means that the Australian public will see themselves reflected in that chair.

He's someone who appreciates just how important parliament is, but also knows how to make it more understandable and inviting for the general public. This is what we need in our parliament today to restore the faith of the Australian people in our parliamentary processes. No-one makes those processes clearer than the member for McEwen. The member for McEwen represents this place well. He will always offer advice and assistance to people in this chamber. He is someone who cherishes the role and has a deep understanding of it. And, Mr Speaker, to keep the Victorian car-loving Carlton-supporting team together is very important. I would only have one concern, and that is that you keep your eye on the salary cap!

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