Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the opposition I extend to you very sincere congratulations. Of course, it wasn't difficult—you are a fellow Broncos supporter and, as a Queenslander, it is great to see you in the chair. I want to pay tribute to the member for Fisher for his time in the chair. He was following in the footsteps of a giant in this place, the member for Casey, who I acknowledge in the chamber here today. The member for Fisher was able to conduct himself in an equally honourable manner. Like the Prime Minister and many others, he is a person who holds the traditions of this chamber close to their heart, and he was able to exercise his rulings and his practice in this chamber on that basis.

Mr Speaker, there are many people who know you well, and I am very pleased to have seen you in action in your own electorate in the recent Queensland floods, where I visited as the then Minister for Defence with some of the troops who were helping on the ground. It was obvious from the empathy that you demonstrated towards your constituents, the respect with which they responded to you and the engagement when we went into the community centre that, on the ground, you had a great deal of kudos. That is a great credit to you, and I know that you will bring those qualities into this job also.

It is an incredibly important role that you take up as the 32nd Speaker this 47th Parliament. I pay tribute to your predecessors but, as I say, the standard now has been set by the member for Casey, and we expect big things of you. The first Labor Speaker, Charles McDonald, was chosen in this House of Representatives. Bob, you weren't here then. I know you interject like you were. It was touch-and-go but in 1910 you were not here! Speaker McDonald said:

I intend to act with absolute fairness to all parties, and trust that I shall perform the duties appertaining to my office, and recognise the responsibilities attached to it, in a way which will do credit to the Chamber, to the Parliament, and to Australia.

I know that you will follow in that spirit as you take this high office. On behalf of the coalition I extend to you congratulations and every success in this role.

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