Jenkins resigns as Speaker

[Dogwatcher]

Speaker of the House of Representatives

24 November 2011



Today marks my 1382nd day as Speaker of the House of Representatives. I have at all times tried to uphold the fine traditions of Speaker, and to the best of my ability have attempted to carry out my duties in the most independent and non-partisan manner possible.



As members are aware in this the 43rd Parliament, to further avoid controversial party political matters I have divorced myself from involvement with the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party. In this era of minority government I have progressively become frustrated at this stricture. My desire is to be able to participate in policy and parliamentary debate, and this would be incompatible with continuing in the role of Speaker.



As a consequence, when I vacate the Chair at the end of this short statement I will visit the Governor-General to tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives.



I thank all members for their co-operation which they have dispensed to varying degrees depending upon the individual.



I thank everyone who works for the Department of House of Representatives under the capable leadership of the Clerk Bernard Wright and the Deputy David Elder; they serve us well. My gratitude goes to the diverse range of officers of the Department of Parliamentary Services: from gardeners to guards, technicians and tradies, researchers to reporters, Hansard; they serve us well. To presidents Hogg and Ferguson with whom I served as co-presiding officer, and the members and officers of the other place with whom I had interaction, I thank them for their forbearance. All these people ensure that the Australian Parliament remains an enduring effective institution.



My staff in the Speaker’s Office have assisted me and kept me well grounded; I believe that members would agree with me that they carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism.



Finally I acknowledge my eternal indebtedness to my “trouble and strife” Michele and the four generations of my family without whose support I would never have been able to achieve the high office I hold.



Late yesterday I ascertained that the Governor-general is available for my call before 9.30 therefore I must depart. I go placidly with my humour intact. I wish you all well.

[dedja]

[redandblack]

I suspect a can of worms is actually further away.

We don't know what will happen, but there must be a fair chance that Peter Slipper will be elected Speaker.

If that happened, the numbers would shift from 75-74 to 76-73, which makes Gillard very safe, even in the event of a by-election.

[Bat Pad]

I suspect a can of worms is actually further away.

We don't know what will happen, but there must be a fair chance that Peter Slipper will be elected Speaker.

If that happened, the numbers would shift from 75-74 to 76-73, which makes Gillard very safe, even in the event of a by-election.

Doubt the Liberals would allow that to happen.

Think the can of worms will be behind the reasoning for his resignation.

[dedja]

Details are starting to emerge.

Peter Slipper is about to either be expelled or dis-endorsed in his seat for the LNP.

Seems like a decent strategy ... get the extra number back on the floor and appoint a disgruntled and despised figure from the opposition who's about to be kicked out of the party.

One, he probably wont be sympathetic to the opposition, two, he won't survive the next election, and three, he's under a cloud anyway for alleged expense irregularities so he's completely damaged goods.

Seems like a plan to me ...

[Bat Pad]

Without going back through old news articles, if the ALP want Slipper as the speaker I hope no senior members commented too harshly when details emerged about his alleged rorting.

That would make them look like complete gooses and would do more damage than keeping the 1 seat majority in the hung parliament.

[Jimmy_041]

The Deputy Speaker is also under enormous pressure over his regular abuse of parliamentary entitlements.

He's heading for a deeper trough - last one is bare

[dedja]

Gillard should now tell Rudd to stick it up his arse ... maybe she already has?

[redandblack]

Well, looks like my scenario might be correct.

Not bad for an ignorant fool

I wondered what was going on last week when Rudd and Slipper gave a media interview together and Slipper got stuck into a Lib colleague.

Yes, Slipper has a lot of baggage, but when it's brought up, the obvious question will be why the Libs kept quiet when he was on their side.

BP, I don't think the Libs are in any position to stop it, theoretically.

Then again, anything can happen in politics.

[dedja]

Abbott looking like a real goose in his press conference at the moment ... looks rattled to me.

[redandblack]

Situation normal

[dedja]

LOL, and now he just walks off when the questions get too hard ...

[Sojourner]

Think Slipper has had his eye on the job for quite some time or that is the signals that I feel he has been giving out.

One scenario could be that Abbott or more likely the Liberal Party power brokers may decide that Nationals MP Tony Crook may be a better option for them as speaker and push him forward?

[dedja]

Abbott and the coalition can nominate Jesus Christ if they like ... they don't have the numbers on the floor

Looks like Slipper will be expelled from the LNP ... happy days for Labor.

[Bat Pad]

Well, looks like my scenario might be correct.

Not bad for an ignorant fool

I wondered what was going on last week when Rudd and Slipper gave a media interview together and Slipper got stuck into a Lib colleague.

Yes, Slipper has a lot of baggage, but when it's brought up, the obvious question will be why the Libs kept quiet when he was on their side.

BP, I don't think the Libs are in any position to stop it, theoretically.

Then again, anything can happen in politics.

I agree they can't initially, but they have no reason to protect him now.

If the Liberals were smart they would forget about getting into office before the Next election.

Should this occur, Labor have just backed a disgraced MP as the speaker in Parliament, and have had to do so due to in fighting regarding policy (I realise that is an assumption, but one based on Jenkins own words).

Their credibility is plumetting, and if the electorate no longer trusts their brand, no policy can drag them out of the quagmire.

The Liberals should just let it happen, then go after him about the rorting and perhaps even force a by-election.

That would just leave them back at where they were yesterday, but with Labor copping the damage.

Once they disendorse him after labor back him as speaker, he will be Labors problem.

[dedja]

wise words ...

[redandblack]

They cant force a by-election.

[Bat Pad]

They cant force a by-election.

They can if he has committed a crime, not sure how much money he has alledgedly mis-used but dodgey people are generally dodgey. He may have a few other skeletons (Just to clarify I have not heard any rumours or anything like that).

or they can just hammer him until he resigns.

Obviously this is all hypothetical, but it is possible.

[dedja]

correct ...

[redandblack]

I look forward to them explaining why they covered it up while he was a good lib.