Appointments — Assistant Speaker

Following discussions with the shadow Leader of the House, I seek leave to move a motion without notice appointing a new Assistant Speaker.

💬 SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being taken? There is none.

I move, That Hon Ruth Suzanne Dyson be appointed as Assistant Speaker.

The vacancy that we’re filling today is created by the appointment of the Hon Poto Williams as a Minister, and I’m sure that all members will join me in thanking her for her service to the House as Assistant Speaker since the election and in congratulating her on her new role. Ruth Dyson is one of the most experienced members of the House, having been an MP since 1993. She’s seen the House from all sides and all perspectives as a member of the Government and the Opposition, as a Minister for almost nine years, as a select committee member, as a select committee chairperson, and, most recently, as senior Government whip.

Ruth has as great an understanding of how the House works and of the role and frustrations of being a member of Parliament, as much as any of the rest of us of us do. Nobody who has anything to do with her will be in any doubt that she will be a tenacious defender of the constitutional role of the House or that she will exercise her responsibilities with absolutely fairness and disinterest. On this side of the House, many of us have benefited from her wisdom and compassion; members on all sides will now have the opportunity to appreciate these qualities. I wholeheartedly commend the nomination of the Hon Ruth Dyson to the House for the position of Assistant Speaker.

Motion agreed to.