October 9, 2012
LNP Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott has been elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the wake of the sudden resignation of Member for Fisher Peter Slipper from the Speaker’s role this evening.
Mr Slipper resigned after earlier surviving a ballot calling for his resignation by just one vote.
Labor Member for Chisholm Anna Burke – who had been serving as Deputy Speaker – was elected unopposed as Mr Slipper’s replacement.
Two MPs were nominated for the Deputy’s role: Mr Scott, who has previously served as Second Deputy Speaker, and ALP Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard described Mr Scott as “one of the gentleman in this place”.
“He has always shown a great deal of courtesy,” she said.
“I am certain he will serve in this role with great dignity. I welcome his election and look forward to working with him.”
Congratulating Mr Scott, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said it was “tremendously hard” for an Opposition Member to win a ballot in the House, so the fact Mr Scott had won this ballot testified to his qualities as a man.
Nationals leader and Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss congratulated his “friend, colleague and neighbour” for his election as Deputy Speaker.
“He is a great champion of rural and regional Queensland and of rural Australia generally,” Mr Truss said.
Mr Scott said he was honoured to be elected to the role.
“I thank the House for their vote of confidence and I am truly humbled by the support I received,” he said.
“I look forward to my new role and I will do all I can to ensure the dignity and respect of the House is upheld.
“In what could only be described as a tumultuous day, I extend my congratulations to the newly elected Speaker of House – the Honourable Anna Burke MP.”
Mr Scott was nominated by the Member for Sturt Christopher Pyne and seconded by the Member for New England Tony Windsor.
