Somlyay talked to Labor's Anthony Albanese 'several times' about speaker bid

ALEX Somlyay spoke to Anthony Albanese several times in an unsanctioned bid to be speaker that would have denied the Coalition a parliamentary vote.

Alex Somylay

LIBERAL National Party MP Alex Somlyay spoke to Labor's Anthony Albanese several times last night in an unsanctioned bid to become speaker that would have denied the Coalition a critical parliamentary vote.

The Australian has learned Mr Somlyay rang the Leader of the House a number of times about the matter after Peter Slipper's resignation as Speaker.

If Mr Somlyay had taken the role with Labor's backing it would have been a rerun of Mr Slipper's ascension to the chair, delivering Labor an effective boost in its parliamentary numbers.

Mr Somlyay today confirmed he was prepared to nominate as federal speaker to succeed Mr Slipper, a long-time advisory, if Labor had not nominated one of their own MPs for the post.

As it happened, Labor nominated deputy speaker Anna Burke, who was elected unopposed.

Mr Somlyay told The Australian: "If Labor couldn't find a speaker, I would have accepted a nomination but only from my side of the House."

Mr Somlyay rejected suggestions he discussed the matter with Mr Albanese in the chamber.

"That's not right," Mr Somlyay said.

"I did not sit down and negotiate with Labor at all."

He said he spoke with Mr Albanese on the floor of the parliament about Labor's candidate for the deputy's post.

Mr Somlyay confirmed he spoke to colleagues about the possibility of standing for the speakership.

However, he did not tell the manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne, who was this morning surprised by the revelation.

"I'm not aware of that," Mr Pyne said.

"I spoke to Alex Somlyay last night, he never mentioned it to me."

Coalition insiders said they were always going to support Anna Burke for the speakership and nominate Mr Scott as her deputy.

One source said it was unclear what had motivated Mr Somylay to consider standing as the speaker, as it would have denied the Coalition a critical vote on the floor of parliament.

Mr Somlyay, the member for Fairfax, has had a long and bitter rivalry with Mr Slipper, a former LNP member, who holds the neighbouring seat of Fisher.

Queensland LNP member Bruce Scott was voted Deputy Speaker, while South Australian Labor MP Steve Georganas was appointed Second Deputy Speaker after Labor managed to change standing orders requiring the second deputy to be an opposition MP.