Experience should be a key consideration in Premier Will Hodgman’s choice for the next Speaker of the House of Assembly, according to a veteran statesman.
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Labor stalwart Michael Polley served as Speaker for a total of 16 years and said that the fact the Liberals now held only a one-seat majority in the lower house meant that a long-serving MP would be a good option for Speaker.
When a government has a one-seat majority, the Speaker can be called on to submit the casting vote on issues that divide the Parliament.
Mr Polley noted that Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding had been touted as a potential candidate for the Speaker role.
“He will do a good job. Because he has got the respect of both sides,” Mr Polley said.
Mr Polley was Speaker during the Labor-Green Accord years of 1989-1992, when Labor Premier Michael Field governed in minority.
He was also Speaker from 2010-2014, when Labor governed with Greens MPs in Cabinet.
“You had to be very, very knowledgeable about every ruling and about every sensitive issue,” Mr Polley said.
Lyons Liberal MHA Mark Shelton replaced Denison Liberal MHA Elise Archer in 2017, when the latter was elevated to Cabinet.
On Thursday, Premier Will Hodgman refused to be drawn on the matter of who would be the next Speaker, saying he would “make no speculative comments or engage in any speculation”.
”Those matters are for discussion with my colleagues, those who were elected to form the next government, [and] will take place over the next few days,” he said.
Political analyst Richard Herr said that when a government had a one-seat majority, a particular kind of disciplinarian was required for the role of Speaker.
“The critical thing when the numbers are tight … is for a Speaker who can command the respect of the chamber,” Dr Herr said.
“It is a time for a velvet glove over the iron fist.”
Meanwhile, Mr Hodgman addressed on Thursday the issue of the Greens’ resources in the wake of their disappointing election result.
The state supplies Opposition parties with the resources they need to operate politically.
“We respect the fact that [the Greens] have an important job to do and need an appropriate level of resourcing,” Mr Hodgman said.
“And I would expect that discussions … will arrive at that outcome.”
The Greens were contacted for comment.
