100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

'Very fair man': Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace elected Speaker of Federal Parliament

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

New mayor outlines next steps after result confirmed

The new mayor of the Noosa Council has been confirmed, with deputy mayor Frank Wilkie to step up to the top job. The Electoral Commission More

Beach driving study starts as police issue Easter plea

Researchers are trying to find out why so many drivers of four-wheel-drives are flouting rules on beaches. The study, by the University of the Sunshine More

New children’s book character comes to life at attraction

A new attraction featuring a beloved children’s book character has opened at a long-running Sunshine Coast tourism venture. Zog, A Forest Adventure has opened at More

Growing sportswear label opening new Coast store

A popular Australian-owned and operated sportswear brand is set to open on the Sunshine Coast. LSKD will open a 150sqm store at Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore on More

What to expect from the weather at Easter

Sunshine Coast locals and visitors may need umbrellas for Easter, after the Bureau of Meteorology issued its forecast for the region. Tens of thousands of More

Two new faces among first confirmed councillors

The first members of the new-look Sunshine Coast Council have been confirmed after the March 16 local government elections. The results for Divisions 1, 2 More

The Sunshine Coast’s motor-bike riding, lycra wearing MP with a reputation among his colleagues for “hard work” and “humility” has been appointed the 31st Speaker of Federal Parliament.

Andrew Wallace, the member for Fisher, was nominated by the Liberals to replace the former Speaker, Victorian Liberal MP Tony Smith, who resigned.

A ballot was held on the floor of parliament on Tuesday after Labor nominated its own candidate Rob Mitchell, the Victorian member for McEwen.

Mr Wallace was elected to Parliament’s highest office with 70 votes to 59 for Mr Mitchell.

The last Queenslander in the role was Peter Slipper in 2012 who had also previously held the seat of Fisher.

A former construction lawyer, Mr Wallace was first elected to Parliament in 2016 and was re-elected in 2019.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated Mr Wallace and said he was a compassionate man with a breadth of life experience who could connect with people from all walks of life.

Mr Morrison said he had known Mr Wallace since his election and described him as a man of strong faith, but also reason.

“One of the things I’ve always admired about the now Speaker is the broad experience he has brought to this place, beginning working life as an apprentice carpenter and joiner, completing his apprenticeship, becoming a builder, starting in his own business,” said Mr Morrison.

“Later, well into his 20s with three young children — four daughters now — completed a law degree at Queensland University of Technology, becoming a construction lawyer and barrister. And then he came here to this place, as a member and now as a Speaker.”

“Of all the qualities that I know of the Speaker, he is a considered man, he is a very intelligent man. He has a keen attention to detail, we all know, he’s passionate and he has a compassion in his heart and in his soul which so many of us who know him well have been touched by.

“He has known difficult times, tragic times, hardships in his life. He has also enjoyed success and this enables him, I think, to connect with people through all manners of their life experience.

“He is a good man. He is a very decent man and he is a very experienced person.

“But when I’m asked to nominate one quality of why it’s so important he occupies this chair, is the Speaker is a very fair man, he has a great sense of fairness about him and it is born of all those other qualities and that’s why I think it is right of this House to give him this opportunity.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison praised the qualities of Andrew Wallace. Picture: AAP

Like stories that inform, connect and celebrate the Sunshine Coast? So do we. Join an independent local news revolution by subscribing to our free daily news feed: Go to SUBSCRIBE at top of this article to register.

Taking the Speaker’s chair Mr Wallace expressed his “grateful thanks for the high honour that has been conferred upon me”.

Mr Wallace said his predecessor Mr Smith was one of the best Speakers and would be a “tough act to follow”.

He promised to adhere to the “golden rule” of giving all members of the House “a fair go”.

“To be an effective Speaker is to enforce our standing orders fairly, to manage the administration of the House in the interests of all and to represent this place and the will of its members in the world outside.

“I intend to give my all in pursuit of those ancient duties. I will respect the independence of the Chair and seek to enforce the standing orders without fear nor favour.”

As such, he said he had made the difficult decision to no longer sit in the Liberal party room.

In nominating his colleague, Julian Leeser MP said Mr Wallace was collegiate and hardworking, and had an endless supply of dad jokes.

“I can assure the house that with his innate humility, the Member for Fisher will not let the role go to his head,” said Mr Leeser, telling how seven Speakers had in fact lost their heads holding the ancient office between 1394 and 1535.

Mr Leeser said Mr Wallace was “thoroughly clean living” as he did not drink and was against gambling, although he was known for riding his motorbike around Canberra and had ridden from the Sunshine Coast to Parliament House.

Andrew Wallace’s during his maiden speech in 2016. Picture: AAP

“The Member for Fisher is very much his own man, he’s a deep thinker and true parliamentarian. In my view he is one of the most decent people ever to set foot in this place,” he said.

Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell, who seconded Mr Wallace’s nomination, said the Member for Fisher was an excellent listener, measured and calm but “sadly does love his lycra outfit”.

He had also produced a “flurry” of reports on issues including homelessness, credit cards, gambling and domestic and family violence.

She said he had fought against a casino and light rail on the Sunshine Coast.

[scn_go_back_button] Return Home

Subscribe to SCN’s daily news email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.