Appointments

I move, That Clem Rudolph Simich be appointed Deputy Speaker. I do so with great pleasure and with a sense of honour. When I moved the appointment some 3 years ago of Mr Simich as an Assistant Speaker, I expressed strong confidence in his judgment, in his impartiality, and in his ability in terms of his presence to carry out the job with great distinction. It is clear that he has done so, and I think it is clear, too, that there is a strong consensus in the House that he should move up a step to the position of Deputy Speaker for the coming 3-year term of this Parliament. We look forward to working with him; we have the greatest respect for his abilities.

I rise to support that nomination. Clem Simich has been a member of this House for nearly 14 years and, as the Leader of the House has indicated, he held the post of Assistant Speaker with distinction in the last Parliament. I have no doubt at all that he can with distinction fill the role of Deputy Speaker also.

Motion agreed to.

Can I be the first to congratulate the Hon Clem Simich. He is a member who is well liked and respected across the House. He did serve well in the last term as Assistant Speaker, and I wish him all the best in his term as Deputy Speaker.

I would like to add my comments by way of endorsement from New Zealand First of this appointment. I know full well that Clem Simich should be on the front bench of the National Party; everyone knows that. He clearly has the skill, the talent, and the ability, but that, of course, would rule him out. Therefore, we have found it necessary to promote him in another way, the best way we can, and I wish him all the best in the future.

The Greens would like to offer their congratulations to Clem Simich. We have found him to be a gentlemanly, courteous, and fair person to deal with.

The Māori Party also wishes to endorse Clem Simich. This party operates under the principles and values that we saw Mr Simich uphold right throughout my parliamentary term, and we want to wish him all the best.

On behalf of United Future I convey our congratulations to Mr Simich on his elevation to be our Deputy Speaker. He is a man of rare courtesy and distinction, and he took a very fair-minded approach in the Chair in the last 3 years. I am sure we will see that continue in his new role as Deputy Speaker. He has our best wishes.

On behalf of the ACT party I rise to support Mr Simich’s appointment. It is clear that he did a fantastic job as Assistant Speaker. He was always fair and reasonable, and I hope that that may long continue. Of course, his appointment does solve two problems: one for the Labour Government in terms of filling the role, and one for the National Party in terms of where to put Mr Simich. So it is a win-win situation.

The Progressive Party offers its warm congratulations to Clem Simich. I well recall Clem Simich winning a hard-fought by-election campaign in Tamaki to come here. He was going to deliver a message to his party; he is now in a position to deliver a message to the whole of Parliament. I offer my congratulations.

Firstly, Madam Speaker, I congratulate you on being elected to the position of Speaker and on having that election confirmed by the Governor-General. I have been pleased to work with you over the past year. I have found it quite rewarding to have you as my Speaker. The words you spoke in Parliament yesterday I endorse completely, and I look forward to helping you, as far as I can, achieve the things you have set out that you wish to achieve as Speaker.

My first and special thanks are to the Hon Dr Michael Cullen for moving the motion for my appointment. I want to thank all members for the very generous way that they have accepted and supported that motion. I also thank the other leaders, who have been so generous in their words in respect of my appointment. I am quite humbled by it. I look forward to serving members as well as I can. Thank you.

Assistant Speakers