Appointments — Deputy Speaker

I move, That Hon Anne Tolley be appointed Deputy Speaker.

Mr Speaker, when I first suggested that the Hon Anne Tolley be appointed as the Deputy Speaker, I was hoping that that would smooth the pathway to your election as Speaker. That didn’t quite turn out as planned. However, I am very pleased to confirm that the Government will certainly be supporting the nomination of the Hon Anne Tolley as Deputy Speaker, because we think she’s the best person for the job.

Anne Tolley has been a member of this House since 2005 as the member for East Coast, and was previously a list MP, from 1999 to 2002. She was the Deputy Leader of the House from 2011 to 2014, and has served in a multitude of roles in both Government and Opposition, including as a whip—I think on the Opposition side of the House when the National Party were last in Opposition. She was a Minister through the previous National administration, taking on quite a wide range of roles, and is well respected across the House and has a good understanding of parliamentary procedure and practice. So I commend the nomination to the House.

Can I simply second this motion and say that Anne Tolley will make an absolutely fine Deputy Speaker. She’s got the experience and the intellect to do a wonderful job, and we wish her well.

Motion agreed to.

Assistant Speakers