Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I inform the House that I have received a letter dated 5 March 2018 from the honourable member for Parkes tendering his resignation as Deputy Speaker of the House. The next item of business is the election of Deputy Speaker.

Damian Drum (Murray, National Party, Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the honourable member for Page, Mr Hogan, be elected Deputy Speaker.

The member for Page has a strong reputation for fairness and is well respected by all members of the House. He will be able to represent this House in the position of Deputy Speaker very, very well.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is the motion seconded?

Andrew Broad (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I second the motion. I believe he will be a very good candidate. The democracy of Australia must be upheld by someone who has dignity and who has integrity. The member for Page has both of those things. I think he will uphold fairness in this chamber, which is very important so that people can have confidence in the robust discussion that takes place in this House of Representatives.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any further motion? There's no further motion. The time for motions has expired. I declare that the honourable member proposed has been elected Deputy Speaker of this House.

David Gillespie (Lyne, National Party, Assistant Minister for Children and Families) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to congratulate the member for Page on his appointment as Deputy Speaker. I've known the member for Page since 2010, when we hit the hustings at the same time and campaigned to be representatives in this House. He has worked tirelessly for the people of Page. He's brought all his knowledge from education and finance to good effect in this House. He is an excellent character and I wish him well in his future role as the Deputy Speaker.

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

( The opposition congratulates the member for Page on being elected to the position of Deputy Speaker. We had great respect for the member for Parkes in the role and there is no doubt we look forward to the way in which the member will conduct the role, in particular that most important event of the day being the MPI, which is when the Deputy Speaker traditionally takes the chair. Like other members, I've known the member for Page for some time. We tend to spend most Easters together at Bluesfest. The music festival will have a new aura about it with the Deputy Speaker in attendance. We wish him well in his role and send our congratulations to him.

Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

) ( ): I thank the member for Watson and the member for Lyne for acknowledging the important elevation of the member for Page to the Deputy Speaker's role, which has been filled very admirably by the member for Parkes since the last election. I congratulate the member for Page. I'm sure he will uphold the fine traditions of this parliament. I'm sure he'll be an able assistant to you, Mr Speaker, and to the rest of the Speakers panel. This is an important role and I know the member for Page acknowledges that. He continues on a fine tradition in that particular role. I thank the opposition for their words of acknowledgement and also thank the member for Parkes for the job that he has done in this very auspicious position.

Kevin Hogan (Page, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I acknowledge you, who have been a wonderful Speaker of this House for many years, and I look to support you in this role. I thank, obviously, my colleagues who nominated me, the Leader of the Nationals, Michael McCormack, as well, but also to the leader of opposition business. I know the member for McEwen as well, who is also on the Speakers panel. This is an important role. We hold a very important place, and we know that when we walk into this place we are very lucky and privileged people, to uphold the democracy of this country and the great institutions of democracy, of which this is the premier institution in this country. Debate is important; passionate debate is important. I look forward as Deputy Speaker to encouraging that passionate debate but with a great deal of respect about it. To the leader of opposition business, I don't know if there will be an aura about me at the blues festival, but I look forward to seeing you there soon

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I congratulate the Deputy Speaker and look forward to working with you and, can I also place on record, my sincere thanks to the former Deputy Speaker, the member for Parkes, who worked so closely with me—our offices work very closely together. He's been a magnificent Deputy Speaker. He's now joined the ministry and that's a fitting tribute to his talents as well. From a selfish point of view, obviously, I will miss him, but welcome you, Member for Page. He's a template Deputy Speaker, can I say, and I'm looking forward to working with him very much indeed.