tag:theconversation.com,2011:/id/topics/tony-smith-19145/articlesTony Smith – The Conversation2021-11-23T01:45:00Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1713882021-11-23T01:45:00Z2021-11-23T01:45:00ZAndrew Wallace becomes the new speaker – a role that’s never been more important in Australian politics<p>The House of Representatives today chose <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=265967">Andrew Wallace</a> as the new Speaker. Wallace has been the member for the Queensland Sunshine Coast electorate of Fisher since 2016. He worked as a carpenter and barrister before entering parliament. </p>
<p>He is probably pleased to have this prestigious post. It pays well and comes with a nice office. His portrait will hang in the halls of parliament for posterity. On formal occasions, the speaker ranks ahead of the chief justice, the deputy prime minister and former prime ministers in the <a href="https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dfat.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fcommonwealth-table-of-precedence.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK">table of precedence</a> (the official hierarchy list of key positions, used for ceremonial purposes). </p>
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<p>But speakers pretend to be reluctantly dragged to the position. This reflects a British <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/role/customs/">political tradition</a>. Standing up to the king as parliament’s representative used to be a dangerous role. </p>
<p>As is usual in Australia, the new speaker comes from the government’s ranks, which means Wallace may be one of the shortest-serving speakers in Australian history if the government changes at the next election. </p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-truly-independent-speaker-could-renew-australias-parliamentary-democracy-44915">A truly independent Speaker could renew Australia's parliamentary democracy</a>
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<h2>The role of the speaker</h2>
<p>The speaker is the House of Representative’s “principal officer”, <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Powers_practice_and_procedure/Practice7/HTML/Chapter6/Powers,_functions_and_duties">fulfilling</a> “constitutional, traditional and ceremonial, statutory, procedural and administrative” functions. </p>
<p>Perhaps the most public role they have is to preside over the debates in the house, ensuring these are conducted according to standing orders. </p>
<p>The speakership is anything but a sinecure. Most Australians are well aware of televised images of the incumbent perched in the speaker’s chair at the head of the chamber during question time.</p>
<p>At times, the speaker strains to manage 150 clamorous parliamentarians. One speaker, <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/martin-stephen-paul-28210">Stephen Martin</a>, was only half joking when he said his experience as a rugby league referee and high school teacher was good preparation. </p>
<p>Along with the <a href="https://insidestory.org.au/presidential-politics/">Senate president</a>, the speaker runs the parliamentary building and manages the staff.</p>
<p>The careers of the Australian speakers are described in the recently published <a href="https://history.cass.anu.edu.au/centres/ncb/biographical-dictionary-house-representatives">Biographical Dictionary of the House of Representatives</a>, prepared by the <a href="https://history.cass.anu.edu.au/centres/ncb">National Centre of Biography</a> at the ANU and funded by the department of the House of Representatives. </p>
<h2>How is the speaker chosen?</h2>
<p>Speakers are chosen by the house itself. But in practice it is nearly always formalising a selection by the nominee’s parliamentary party. </p>
<p>The first speaker, <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/holder-sir-frederick-william-6706">Frederick Holder</a> attempted, unsuccessfully, to embed Westminster convention that the speaker ceases to be an active member of a political party.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Frederick Holder" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=784&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=784&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=784&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=985&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=985&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/433290/original/file-20211122-15-y621ca.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=985&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">The first speaker was Frederick Holder.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136693584/view">National Library of Australia/Trove</a></span>
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<p>In the UK, the speaker has usually not faced opponents from other major parties at general elections. </p>
<p>But in the smaller Australian parliament, parties have been unwilling to give up a seat. Under the <a href="https://aph.org.au/2021/09/speakers-deputies-and-the-clerks-the-revealing-light-of-biography/#:%7E:text=The%20Biographical%20Dictionary%20of%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives,Speaker%2C%20or%20Clerk%20of%20the%20House%20since%20Federation.">Australian model</a>, the speaker remains a member of their party but generally adopts a less partisan role. </p>
<p>Speakers typically have long parliamentary experience, but few have had major further political ambitions. Several were past senior ministers for whom being parked on the backbench seemed decidedly risky. This made their appointment to the chair a face-saving precaution. </p>
<p>Holder was a former premier of South Australia who had been dismayed by being excluded from the federal ministry. <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/watt-william-alexander-9011">William Watt</a> had been acting prime minister for over a year. </p>
<p>Most such elders proved excellent speakers. Indeed, seven years in the job partly restored <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/snedden-sir-billy-mackie-15519">Billy Snedden’s</a> tattered political reputation. </p>
<h2>Why is the speaker important?</h2>
<p>A good speaker is a bulwark against the worst excesses of political partisanship. Truly effective ones determine the tone of the house, often skilfully exercising their personal authority with a seemingly light touch. </p>
<p>Most speakers have successfully balanced party loyalty with wider expectations of the office. They struck a workable compromise between partiality to their own government and keeping favouritism within bounds the opposition could tolerate. </p>
<p>Only a few, such as the truculent <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cameron-archie-galbraith-9669">Archie Cameron</a> in the 1950s, faced persistent opposition calls for resignation. Such qualified non-partisanship was probably helped by the speakership not usually having served as a career stepping stone.</p>
<p>This pragmatic, largely workable, model faces pressure from the encroachment of party politics. Although supported by deep roots in our little appreciated parliamentary history and in the wider Australian “fair go” ethos, it should never be taken for granted. It needs to be defended against the remorseless politicisation of public life. </p>
<p>The speaker’s role is becoming more important as politics becomes more partisan. If the people elect a “hung parliament” next year, with no party or coalition having a majority, the role will be even more crucial. </p>
<h2>Tony Smith is a hard act to follow</h2>
<p>The new speaker takes over from <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=00APG">Tony Smith</a>, generally regarded as a very capable speaker. </p>
<p>He projected authority. His impartiality is reflected in his signalling that as an ex-speaker still in the chamber he will distance himself from the cut and thrust of party-driven debate. He received a standing ovation for his work.</p>
<p>He may have been rather blunter than many of his 29 predecessors in asserting himself. But he also showed a love of parliament – not to be underrated as a characteristic of an effective speaker.</p>
<p>Overall, not a bad way to exit parliamentary life. But interestingly, and perhaps worryingly, he was the first <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=00APG">career</a> political activist (as a former political staffer and research assistant at the Institute of Public Affairs) to ascend to the office.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/slipper-saga-begs-the-question-do-we-need-a-speaker-at-all-6611">Slipper saga begs the question – do we need a speaker at all?</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/171388/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>John Hawkins was a former adviser to the House Economics Committee and secretary of the Senate Economics Committee. He contributed six essays to the Biographical Dictionary of the House of Representatives. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Stephen Wilks edited the Biographical Dictionary of the House of Representatives, which was funded by the Department of the House of Representatives. </span></em></p>Andrew Wallace has been appointed to the increasingly important role of speaker of the House of Representatives.John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society and NATSEM, University of CanberraStephen Wilks, Research editor, Australian National UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1703002021-10-20T10:59:55Z2021-10-20T10:59:55ZGovernment shuts down move to refer Christian Porter’s secret funds to privileges inquiry<p>The government has blocked an inquiry into whether Christian Porter breached parliamentary privilege in refusing to reveal who donated to his legal costs.</p>
<p>This was despite Speaker Tony Smith giving the Labor motion for the reference precedence to be debated, which would normally see the house send the matter to the privileges committee.</p>
<p>Manager of opposition business Tony Burke said this was the first time a government had voted against a privileges referral to which a speaker had given precedence.</p>
<p>After Labor argued on Monday Porter should be referred, Smith announced on Wednesday that “based on my careful consideration of all of the information available to me, I am satisfied that a prima facie case has been made out”.</p>
<p>Smith made it clear that saying this “does not imply a conclusion that a breach … has occurred”.</p>
<p>House of Representative practice specifies that to grant precedence to a privilege motion the speaker must be satisfied “a prima facie case of contempt or breach of privilege has been made out”.</p>
<p>The government opposed the motion, which was then voted down.</p>
<p>Burke said the government had abandoned a principle that had been a “a key protection against corruption” since the federal parliament came into existence.</p>
<p>“That means we may never learn the truth about who paid Mr Porter’s legal bills and what they may expect in return.</p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/christian-porter-quits-cabinet-refusing-to-find-out-who-gave-him-money-for-legal-costs-168246">Christian Porter quits cabinet, refusing to find out who gave him money for legal costs</a>
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<p>"This is a disgraceful, shameful moment in Australian political history,” Burke said in a statement.</p>
<p>Porter was forced to step down from the ministry last month because he would not supply names of those who donated to a “blind trust” to help with his bills for the defamation action he took against the ABC. He said he didn’t know the names, and was “not prepared to seek to break the confidentiality of those people who contributed to my legal fees”. </p>
<p>The leader of the house, Peter Dutton, in opposing the reference, told the house there was a much broader issue because there were “a number of other cases which are of a similar ilk”.</p>
<p>Dutton has written to privileges committee chairman Russell Broadbent asking the committee to clarify what the MPs’ register requires when members receive third party contributions or assistance, including from crowd funding and political parties, for personal legal matters, or any other matters.</p>
<p>The letter specifies assistance for legal costs in the form of financial or non-financial contributions and provision of legal services on a reduced or no-fee basis.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-porters-funding-from-a-blind-trust-is-an-integrity-test-for-morrison-168112">Grattan on Friday: Porter's funding from a 'blind trust' is an integrity test for Morrison</a>
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<p>In parliament Dutton instanced crowd funding by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young for her legal action against then senator David Leyonhjelm.</p>
<p>He pointed to a number of names that obviously were made up.</p>
<p>Hanson-Young said she had received 1800 donations, with only eight donations above the disclosable $300 threshold.</p>
<p>“I have declared all donations in the spirit of members and senators interests and Mr Porter should do the same.”</p>
<p>A spokeswoman said those with false names were all under the threshold.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170300/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The Government has blocked an inquiry that could determine whether Christian Porter breached parliamentary privilege by refusing reveal the names of those who donated to his legal costsMichelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1644942021-07-14T06:24:58Z2021-07-14T06:24:58ZView from The Hill: Speaker Tony Smith, proponent of ‘order in the House’ to retire at election<p>Speaker Tony Smith – who has been battling to force better behaviour in the House of Representatives on MPs including Scott Morrison – has announced he will not contest the next election.</p>
<p>Smith, 54, has held the Victorian seat of Casey – which takes in outer eastern suburbs in Melbourne – since 2001. He’s been around Parliament House much longer, though, having worked previously for Peter Costello from 1990 to 2001.</p>
<p>He said in a Wednesday statement his decision not to re-contest had been taken “after a great deal of thought and consideration”.</p>
<p>“I love our parliament and serving the Australian people. I am honoured that the Liberal Party and the electors of Casey voted to give me this privilege for two decades.</p>
<p>"However, I believe now is a good time to give the Liberal Party and the people of Casey the opportunity for renewal.</p>
<p>"I also believe the time is now right for me to pursue other endeavours following the conclusion of this forty-sixth Parliament.”</p>
<p>Smith followed as speaker the highly partisan Bronwyn Bishop, after she was forced to quit the post in 2015 over misuse of entitlements.</p>
<p>From his start in the role, Smith has been highly regarded by both sides of politics for his even-handedness and fair rulings. He said at the beginning he would not attend party room meetings and noted he had friends in opposition ranks.</p>
<p>One of those lobbying for Smith in the ballot (among Liberal members of the House) for the nomination was Scott Morrison, who was social services minister.</p>
<p>Immediately on assuming the chair Smith said parliament should be a robust place, however “it needn’t be rude and it needn’t be loud.”</p>
<p>Recently, against the background of the apparently intractable loud and rude behaviour, he has made a toughly determined effort to impose greater discipline on an unruly house. This surprised colleagues and shocked (and probably angered) ministers who have felt the lash of his tongue.</p>
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<a href="https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-bringing-scott-morrison-to-heel-161992">Grattan on Friday: Bringing Scott Morrison to heel</a>
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<p>In particular he has cracked down heavily to stop the government frontbenchers, including Morrison, flouting the standing orders, notably by giving answers that are irrelevant to the questions they are asked.</p>
<p>A few weeks ago Smith brought Morrison into line in a way that was highly embarrassing for the PM. After Smith insisted Morrison be relevant in answering, the PM replied. “I’m happy to do that, Mr Speaker.” To which Smith retorted, “I don’t care whether you’re happy or not. You need to return to the question.”</p>
<p>On the same day, Smith also dealt sharply with the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, and brutally with Health Minister Greg Hunt who was repeatedly refusing to sit down when told. “The minister for health can resume his seat, full stop. I’m not going to be ignored,” Smith said.</p>
<p>Subsequently he told parliament: “Obviously in the course of the last week I’ve enforced the standing orders vigorously. I intend to keep doing that.” He said the reason was “to get an improvement in parliamentary standards”.</p>
<p>Morrison said in a Wednesday statement: “Tony has been an outstanding Speaker, in the true Westminster tradition”.</p>
<p>He said Smith’s “intellect, temperament, dry wit, staying above the fray and respect for the Parliament as an institution, has earned him respect, far and wide.</p>
<p>"Many Speakers can get caught in the crossfire of parliamentary debate. Instead, his actions have elevated debate and demonstrated the great strength of parliamentary democracy.”</p>
<p>Manager of opposition business Tony Burke tweeted on Wednesday: “Tony Smith leaving will be a huge loss to the parliament. He’s one of the only speakers in history to have been nominated by the government and seconded by the opposition. He’s been consistent, principled, and most importantly fearless.”</p>
<p>At the last election Smith held Casey on a two-party vote of 54.6%-45.4%.</p>
<p>Smith said in his statement he had been first elected 20 years ago this November “and have had the honor of being re-elected on six occasions making me the longest serving Member for Casey”.</p>
<p>He said his announcement now gave the Liberal party time to choose the best candidate for the election.</p>
<p>If the Coalition is re-elected it will be looking for two new presiding officers. Senate president Scott Ryan, also from Victoria, announced some time ago he would not be standing for another parliamentary term.</p>
<p>In the meantime, in the remaining parliamentary weeks between now and the election, which is expected in March or May, Smith will continue his quest to improve behaviour.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/new-speaker-tony-smith-promises-a-less-partisan-approach-45872">New Speaker Tony Smith promises a less partisan approach</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/164494/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Speaker Tony Smith – who has been battling to force better behaviour in the House of Representatives on MPs including Scott Morrison – has announced he will not contest the next election.Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1623522021-06-08T07:55:40Z2021-06-08T07:55:40ZPolitics with Michelle Grattan: Word from The Hill<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/405007/original/file-20210608-21-14izjdo.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C3994%2C2000&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption"></span> </figcaption></figure><p>As well as Michelle Grattan’s usual interviews with experts and politicians about the news of the day, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes “Word from The Hill”, where all things political will be discussed with members of The Conversations’s politics team.</p>
<p>In this week’s episode, politics + society editor Amanda Dunn discusses with Michelle current issues and what’s coming up. </p>
<p>The pair dive into Speaker of The House Tony Smith’s efforts to reform Question Time, Scott Morrison’s agenda for the G7 Summit - taking place this weekend in the United Kingdom, and Victoria’s slow emergence out of lockdown.</p>
<p><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/politics-with-michelle-grattan/id703425900?mt=2"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/233721/original/file-20180827-75984-1gfuvlr.png" alt="Listen on Apple Podcasts" width="268" height="68"></a> <a href="https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly90aGVjb252ZXJzYXRpb24uY29tL2F1L3BvZGNhc3RzL3BvbGl0aWNzLXdpdGgtbWljaGVsbGUtZ3JhdHRhbi5yc3M"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/233720/original/file-20180827-75978-3mdxcf.png" alt="" width="268" height="68"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-conversation-4/politics-with-michelle-grattan"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/233716/original/file-20180827-75981-pdp50i.png" alt="Stitcher" width="300" height="88"></a> <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Politics-with-Michelle-Grattan-p227852/"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/233723/original/file-20180827-75984-f0y2gb.png" alt="Listen on TuneIn" width="318" height="125"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://radiopublic.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-WRElBZ"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-152" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/233717/original/file-20180827-75990-86y5tg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=268&fit=clip" alt="Listen on RadioPublic" width="268" height="87"></a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5NkaSQoUERalaLBQAqUOcC"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/237984/original/file-20180925-149976-1ks72uy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=268&fit=clip" width="268" height="82"></a> </p>
<h2>Additional audio</h2>
<p><a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/The_Big_Loop_-_FML_original_podcast_score/Lee_Rosevere_-_The_Big_Loop_-_FML_original_podcast_score_-_10_A_List_of_Ways_to_Die">A List of Ways to Die</a>, Lee Rosevere, from Free Music Archive.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/162352/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Michelle Grattan discusses politics with politics + society editor, Amanda DunnMichelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1430982020-07-22T05:36:54Z2020-07-22T05:36:54ZSpeaker and Senate president agree to chair working group on pandemic-safe parliament<p>Federal parliament’s Speaker Tony Smith and Senate President Scott Ryan have agreed to chair a proposed bipartisan working group on how parliament can meet safely during the pandemic.</p>
<p>Labor put forward the working group plan after Scott Morrison cancelled the two-week sitting that was due to start August 4.</p>
<p>The group would comprise the leader of the house and manager of opposition business and their Senate counterparts. The ALP suggested including the chief federal and ACT medical officers but Smith and Ryan said they should be called on as needed.</p>
<p>The group would not decide whether the next sitting, scheduled to begin August 24, goes ahead. The government determines the House sittings, and the Senate (where the government is in a minority) is in charge of its own meetings.</p>
<p>Smith and Ryan said in a letter to Labor: “At the outset, we believe the six parliamentarians should receive a joint briefing from the Commonwealth and ACT Chief Medical Officers regarding the discussions to date, and risks that need to be mitigated.</p>
<p>"Following this briefing, we will be in possession of all relevant facts, and in a position to discuss specific options.</p>
<p>"We will call upon the resources of the chamber departments and the Department of Parliamentary Services as necessary to address issues raised.”</p>
<p>The presiding officers pointed out they had previously engaged with the opposition about the operation of parliament during COVID.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/143098/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The logistics of the House and Senate sittings are being negotiated by the government and opposition.Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/459112015-08-10T11:59:59Z2015-08-10T11:59:59ZAbbott facing crunch over same-sex marriage bill<p>For the second time this year Liberal MPs have asserted themselves over their leader. Making it clear they wanted a contest for the speakership, with no attempted “captain’s pick”, was nothing like the warning they sent Tony Abbott in February, but it still carried a message: don’t mess with us – too much.</p>
<p>In selecting Tony Smith, the House of Representatives Liberals chose the man Abbott demoted from shadow cabinet to a shadow parliamentary secretary and then did not think worth including in his government frontbench. Ouch.</p>
<p>Now the question is: can the backbench – or some of its members – achieve the trifecta?</p>
<p>Behind the scenes, heavy arm-twisting was underway on Monday about the cross-party same-sex marriage bill.</p>
<p>Queensland Liberal Warren Entsch is set to lodge notice of the bill with the table office on Tuesday. That would then appear on the notice paper on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Abbott and Entsch met on Monday. There are conflicting reports about what happened. One version is that Abbott wanted him to stay his hand on the bill, talking of a plebiscite, and Entsch told him where to go. Entsch denies Abbott tried to get the bill stopped.</p>
<p>On the tactics previously agreed by the “pro” camp, Entsch will introduce the bill next week. Late on Monday, notice of the bill was headed for Tuesday afternoon’s meeting of the committee that selects the bills that come before the House of Representatives. It should be a formality for this committee to tick off the introduction of what is a private member’s bill.</p>
<p>The big question is whether that committee would subsequently let the bill proceed to a full debate and vote later this year. The committee is dominated by the government. The switch of Speaker, who chairs the selection committee, might play into the dynamics.</p>
<p>It is still unclear when or even if the partyroom will discuss a conscience vote for Liberals. This discussion could be avoided if the bill were buried by the selection committee.</p>
<p>The problem for the Liberal same-sex marriage proponents is that they are in a minority. By contrast, those determined to head off any whiff of a “captain’s call” for the speakership were a majority.</p>
<p>The other difference is that same-sex marriage is a much bigger issue for Abbott than who was going to succeed Bronwyn Bishop as Speaker.</p>
<p>Holding firm against same-sex marriage, stalling the progress of the bill and even a conscience vote are all matters on which Abbott wants to deliver, if possible, to the conservatives in his parliamentary party and in the Liberal base. He will use whatever political tactics he can. These are the people on whom his future could depend if the leadership became dicey again.</p>
<p>On the other hand, Abbott has been warned by some colleagues against pushing too hard to frustrate the bill.</p>
<p>If those promoting same-sex marriage want to get their bill considered before the election, this would seem the time to take advantage of Abbott’s weak situation.</p>
<p>Their opponents, however, may seek to pre-empt them by having the partyroom reaffirm the Coalition’s present anti-same-sex-marriage policy.</p>
<p>The numbers may not be there in the parliament to pass a bill.</p>
<p>There may not be sufficient support in the partyroom even for a conscience vote to be agreed – and the Liberals would look bad in the electorate if they decided against giving their MPs a free vote.</p>
<p>But they would look worse if Abbott were able to thwart the question being brought to a head, especially with pro- and anti-change ads running in the media, Canberra’s airport lit with rainbow lights, and the community actively talking about the issue and a majority backing change.</p>
<p>The party would be exposed as lacking the guts even to have the discussion. The proponents should act immediately to declare their intention to the partyroom to push their cause. At least the battle would openly be joined.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://michellegrattan.podbean.com/e/chris-bowen-1439208586/">Listen to the latest Politics with Michelle Grattan podcast with guest, shadow treasurer Chris Bowen, here or on iTunes</a>.</strong></p>
<iframe id="audio_iframe" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/z26kd-57ebb6" width="100%" height="100" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/45911/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
For the second time this year Liberal MPs have asserted themselves over their leader. Making it clear they wanted a contest for the speakership, with no attempted “captain’s pick”, was nothing like the…Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/456202015-08-03T11:25:07Z2015-08-03T11:25:07ZThe speakership: a prize out of nowhere for … whom?<p>The glittering prize of the speakership is dangling in front of the eyes of several backbenchers whose careers are becalmed.</p>
<p>They have a rare chance. Almost all advancement in the government is in the gift of the leader.</p>
<p>After the 2013 election Tony Abbott treated the speakership, supposed to belong to the party, as a “captain’s pick” and presented his choice of Bronwyn Bishop to the partyroom.</p>
<p>Now that has ended in tears, Abbott has indicated that those aspiring to succeed her can fight it out to get the numbers among their peers.</p>
<p>As of Monday night, there were four candidates, all backbenchers, angling for the post: <a href="http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/andrew-southcott-to-stand-for-speaker-job/story-fnjbnvyj-1227468055835">Andrew Southcott</a>, <a href="http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/08/03/who-will-replace-bronwyn-bishop-as-speaker-.html">Russell Broadbent</a>, <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-03/philip-ruddock-frontrunner-to-replace-bronwyn-bishop-as-speaker/6666754">Philip Ruddock</a> and <a href="http://www.afr.com/news/politics/tony-smith-early-front-runner-to-replace-bronwyn-bishop-20150803-giq6ma">Tony Smith</a> – with Smith not publicly declared.</p>
<p>Interestingly, three of them have been demoted by Abbott and the fourth has been on the outer because of his policy views.</p>
<p>Smith, who comes from Victoria and formerly worked for then-treasurer Peter Costello, was in shadow cabinet but Abbott pushed him down to a shadow parliamentary secretary following problems in the 2010 election with his communication policy. After the 2013 victory Smith wasn’t included in the Abbott frontbench.</p>
<p>In government, Smith has been active as chair of the <a href="http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Electoral_Matters">parliamentary committee on electoral matters</a>, which has recommended big changes to voting arrangements for the Senate.</p>
<p>Southcott, from South Australia, was also demoted in opposition by Abbott and overlooked in government.</p>
<p>Ruddock was sacked by Abbott as chief government whip early this year. Recently Abbott <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/philip-ruddock-appointed-special-envoy-for/6500016">appointed him</a> as special envoy for citizenship and community engagement as part of the government’s consideration of a further toughening of the citizenship laws.</p>
<p>Broadbent, one of the much-diminished number of moderate voices, is not on the ideological wavelength of the Abbott Liberal party.</p>
<p>As things stand, the contest appears open, especially if three or four candidates ended up in the ballot.</p>
<p>It has quickly become apparent the Liberals are not keen on the about A$340,000 post, with its prestige and (not to be abused, please) generous perks, going to deputy Speaker Bruce Scott, who is from the Nationals.</p>
<p>National Ian Sinclair briefly served as speaker in 1998, after Bob Halverson was pushed out because the Howard government thought he was too impartial. But Sinclair was special and this time the Liberals want to keep hold of the job.</p>
<p>The last time the Liberals elected their speaker was in 2004, when David Hawker beat Bronwyn Bishop and Bruce Baird. That contest is a lesson for those making predictions.</p>
<p>Hawker was not the favourite and Baird, a prominent moderate, had the backing of John Howard who, though he had not made him a minister, thought he would be good in the chair. Peter Costello worked hard and successfully to get up Hawker, a fellow Victorian.</p>
<p>One thing going against Ruddock, the “Father of the House” and former senior minister in the Howard government, is that some Liberals see him as too much part of the Howard era, and think the party should move on.</p>
<p>Broadbent, who says he believes he has “broad support” in the party, might attract some moderate votes on the grounds of factional loyalty but lose votes among the conservative majority who could fear he would be too independent.</p>
<p>Both Southcott and Smith are sitting on margins in their seats (Boothby, Casey) of just over 7%, which can be precarious in these volatile times, and with the government facing uphill battles in South Australia and Victoria.</p>
<p>Being speaker can make campaigning harder. Sharman Stone, who has been very critical of the way the parliament has been operating, says it is “very tempting to try set the parliament back on the right course”. But, though her name was mentioned and some would like a woman to replace a woman, she is not throwing her hat in the ring. Her electorate is in a terrible way, she says, due to water policy issues, and that’s her priority.</p>
<p>There are apparently no formal rules for how the Liberal partyroom chooses the speaker – or more precisely, the candidate the government puts up to the House of Representatives (there may be a Labor candidate).</p>
<p>But the vote would be taken among the lower house Liberals, not the whole party room.</p>
<p>It may be that a consensus emerges before the Liberal meeting on Monday morning, or that one or two candidates drop out. It’s always possible one or more other candidates might emerge.</p>
<p>But if the numbers remain uncertain, there is an incentive for hopefuls to push on. The stakes are high for the individuals and strange things can happen in ballots.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/45620/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
The glittering prize of the speakership is dangling in front of the eyes of several backbenchers whose careers are becalmed. They have a rare chance. Almost all advancement in the government is in the…Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.