Push for female Independent MP to be appointed as Speaker in the House of Representatives

Independent MP Zali Steggall believes the next speaker in the House of Representatives should be a woman — and an Independent, not a Labor MP.

Independent MP Zali Steggall has urged the Albanese government to nominate a woman for the position of speaker in the House of Representatives.

The Warringah MP said she thought having a female speaker would be appropriate “in circumstances where you have a prime minister and treasurer, who are male and you have a leader of the opposition who is male”.

On Monday, Ms Steggall said she would consider the role if asked but supported Independent MP for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie, as an option.

“She’s experienced, she’s worked with both sides, she’s been in a party situation and so I think she would be very appropriate,” Ms Steggall told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Ms Sharkie told the paper she would consider it carefully if the role was offered to her.

Ms Steggall, a former barrister and Olympic skier, said women had delivered a clear message at the election that they wanted to be seen and represented in the next parliament.

On Tuesday night, new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese named a record 10 women in his 23-member cabinet, three more than the previous record set by Scott Morrison, who had seven women as ministers.

There are 10 women in Albanese’s 23-member cabinet. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

It comes as Labor cemented its hold on government, with the party now expected to secure 77 seats in parliament — one more than necessary for a majority.

It means Mr Albanese can afford to put a Labor MP in the position of speaker and absorb the loss of one vote — although the speaker does have a casting vote if the result is tied — making it less likely the PM will want an Independent in the role.

The role of speaker is lucrative — it comes with a salary of almost $370,000, which a lot higher than the MP base salary of $211,250 — but also comes with a lot of responsibility.

They are expected to be impartial in making sure MPs follow the rules and that correct parliamentary procedure is followed. They can eject MPs from parliament during debates for bad behaviour or decide whether responses to questions are relevant.

Among Labor ranks, MPs Rob Mitchell and Milton Dick are reportedly vying for the position.

However, others still believe an independent MP should be appointed.

Zali Steggall believes a woman should be appointed speaker. Picture: Supplied

Rebekha Sharkie. Picture: Roy Vandervegt

Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie said if Labor was “fair dinkum” about restoring trust in politics, such move would be worth considering, given the high vote for independents at this election.

“Even if Labor gets to 77 it would send a powerful and positive message to the community [for Albanese] to seek out an independent speaker,” Mr Wilkie told Guardian Australia, adding it need not necessarily be him.

Ms Steggall also believes how Independents on the crossbench are treated should also change, and they should be given routine briefings on draft legislation, something that is already provided to the opposition.

Originally published as Push for female Independent MP to be appointed as Speaker in the House of Representatives