Appointments — Assistant Speaker—Greg O’Connor

I move, That this House appoint Greg O’Connor as Assistant Speaker until the House adjourns on Thursday, 11 August 2022.

Until that last motion was put before the House, I didn’t realise it was possible to turn a face mask red by blushing underneath it, but David Bennett has managed to do just that!

The House is, I’m sure, grateful to Greg O’Connor for also agreeing to step into a presiding officer role. Since he was elected in 2017, he’s demonstrated a firm command of parliamentary rules and practices. No doubt his extensive experience as a police officer will also be of assistance to him in the role.

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. We’re delighted to support the nomination of Greg O’Connor as a temporary Assistant Speaker. I’ve come to know Mr O’Connor through his excellent performances in the Parliamentary Cricket Team, and I’m sure that the skills he displays on the cricket field, particularly his—I’m struggling for the right word here—great composure at long on and deep fine leg, will serve him well in the committee of the whole House. Congratulations, Greg.

The ACT Party would like to join with others in supporting this motion. I think it speaks to the greatness of our country—it shows that anyone can do anything. In hindsight, Mr Speaker, I think your own appointment was preconditioning for us to come to this day, and we certainly look forward to seeing Greg O’Connor in the Chair. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The question is that the motion be agreed to.

Motion agreed to.