Milton Dick to be put forward for role of Speaker of House of Representatives

A Queensland MP has been named as the government’s pick to become the next speaker of federal parliament.

Queensland MP Milton Dick is the government’s pick for Australia’s next speaker of parliament, a move that would make him only the third politician from the state since World War II to hold the role.

It is understood Labor’s caucus on Thursday resoundingly picked Mr Dick, the member for Oxley, as the government’s nominee for Speaker.

If picked by parliament, which is highly likely considering Labor holds a majority and he is understood to be well-liked by colleagues, Mr Dick would take over from fellow Queenslander Andrew Wallace.

Milton Dick takes a selfie with Annastacia Palaszczuk, Anthony Albanese and workers at a distribution centre at Heathwood. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Mr Dick would be the third Queensland MP, following from Mr Wallace and Peter Slipper, to be elected Speaker of the House since World War II.

The Oxley MP, in a brief statement, confirmed he would accept the government’s nomination for Speaker of the House when parliament sits for the first time since the election next week.

He said he was “honoured to be endorsed” and “out of deep respect for the Office of Speaker” he would be consulting with fellow MPs to seek their support.

“I will now follow and respect the processes of election to this important role,” Mr Dick said.

Mr Dick, the younger brother of Queensland treasurer Cameron Dick, is a close confidant of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

He was first elected to the federal seat of Oxley in 2016 and prior to that served on Brisbane City Council from 2008.

Mr Dick is a former Queensland Labor state secretary and was at the helm when Kevin Rudd swept to power in 2007.

MP Andrew Wallace, Sunshine Coast. Picture: Patrick Woods.