Teals rail against ‘archaic’ maiden speech convention

Several teal independents are challenging a longstanding convention that threatens their ability to deliver a maiden parliamentary speech.

Independent Kylea Tink. Picture: Julian Andrews

Several teal independents are challenging a longstanding convention that threatens their ability to deliver a maiden parliamentary speech and are prepared to forego the opportunity in order to debate the government’s legislation enacting its 43 per cent climate target.

Under the convention, MPs who engage in parliamentary debate before having delivered a maiden speech sacrifice the chance to deliver it at a later date.

In ­effect, their first con­tribution to debate in the chamber would become their maiden speech to parliament.

Incoming members of the crossbench including North Sydney MP Kylea Tink, Kooyong MP Monique Ryan and Mac­kellar MP Sophie Scamps have responded angrily towards the custom.

Ms Tink told The Australian she would forego her first speech in order to contribute to the ­climate debate if the government refused to negotiate on the four main changes she wanted to make to its legislation.

The four changes would ensure that the 43 per cent target was a floor, not a ceiling; would include a ratchet mechanism to increase climate ambition over time; would insist that any target be based on scientific evidence; and would aim to restrict global warming to less than 1.5C.

“The more likely outcome for me is that I will forgo the ­opportunity to do a first speech and would actually stand up and speak during the debate so that my electorate knows that my voice is being heard in Parliament House, and that my ­concern has been tabled,” Ms Tink said.

“For me, that would actually be a stronger course of action.”

Dr Ryan has indicated that she would also sacrifice her ability to ­deliver her maiden speech, ­labelling the convention as “anachronistic”.

“The voters of Kooyong elected me to speak for them on the need for urgent and real climate action,” she said.

“The convention that prevents new MPs from speaking on a bill prior to their ‘first speech’ is anachronistic.”

“I would strongly urge the government to ­ensure that all MPs are able to speak on such ­important national legislation.”

Dr Scamps called for a review of the “archaic” practices that ­potentially “gag” members of parliament, arguing for the custom to be changed so that she did not have to sacrifice her first speech to ­parliament.

“As part of these discussions (with the government), I addressed the importance of being free to engage in parliamentary debate on the legislation and move amendments,” Dr Scamps said.

“We need to review the ­archaic convention that prevents MPs from contributing in parliament until they have delivered their first speech.

“I have been elected to represent my community in parliament and I should be able to do this from day one.”

There are 35 new MPs in parliament; each new parliamentarian is given 20 minutes to make their first speech, meaning that the House of Represen­tatives will need to get through about 15 hours of maiden ­speeches.

The government has told members of the crossbench it is hoping to have them finished by the end of October.

Leader of the House Tony Burke said he would endeavour to ensure that the new MPs could make their maiden speeches before the chamber debated Labor’s climate bill.

“The first week of parliament will largely consist of the introduction of legislation and first speeches,” Mr Burke said.

“I will need to get some ­legislation across to the ­Senate, but I will be doing what I can to make sure that the bills on which new members are most likely to speak are still being ­debated after first speeches are concluded.”