Timeline of Peter Slipper as Speaker

EVENTS leading up to Speaker Peter Slipper's resignation following a close vote in Parliament which he won.

EVENTS leading up to Speaker Peter Slipper's resignation:

2011

November 24: Labor's Harry Jenkins unexpectedly resigns as Speaker on the last day of parliament for 2011. Peter Slipper quits the Liberal Party to become an independent Speaker. The move gives the minority federal government an extra vote on the floor of the lower house.

2012

January 21: Federal government reneges on a deal with Andrew Wilkie on pokies reform.

February 7: Slipper takes the Speaker's chair and brings back traditions including the gown and procession.

February 14: Slipper makes his first formal public procession through Parliament House.

March 20: Slipper boots Treasurer Wayne Swan out of parliamentary question time.

April 21: Slipper denies court claims he sexually harassed staffer James Ashby, and misused Cabcharges.

April 22: Slipper stands aside as Speaker pending the outcome of the criminal investigations into his Cabcharge use.

April 23: Prime Minister Julia Gillard defends her political judgment in putting up Slipper for the Speaker's job.

April 24: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says coalition staffers did not help prepare the sexual harassment case against Slipper.

April 26: Slipper releases a statement with 13 photocopies of cab dockets as proof of his innocence.

April 27: Leader of government business Anthony Albanese defends Slipper in light of the dockets being made public. Key cross-bench MPs say Slipper should stand aside from the role until all allegations against him are resolved.

April 29: Gillard announces she asked Slipper to extend his time away from the post of Speaker of the lower house until allegations surrounding the use of taxpayer-funded taxi vouchers and sexual harassment are resolved.

May 5: Labor frontbencher Bob Carr compares Ashby to a "kabuki actor" on the social media website Twitter.

May 8: Deputy Speaker Anna Burke sits in the chair after Slipper makes a statement to the house.

May 17: Tony Abbott defends Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne over his contact with Mr Ashby.

May 18: Ashby case goes to Federal Court. Slipper lawyer says it is an exercise in "character assassination".

June 7: Slipper agrees to federal police interview.

July 19: Slipper allegations about taxi vouchers referred to commonwealth prosecutor.

July 27: Mal Brough wins Liberal preselection in Fisher, denies wrongdoing in meeting with Ashby.

Sept 28: Government settles Slipper case for $50,000 plus sexual harassment training for MPs. Attorney-general says rest of the case should be settled as well.

Oct 3: Ashby-Slipper mediation fails.

Oct 5: Federal Court judge Steven Rares reserves decision on Slipper's "abuse of process" application.

Oct 9: Mr Slipper resigns after coalition loses a vote to sack him 69-70. Follows release of lewd text messages Slipper sent to Ashby.