Appointments — Assistant Speaker

I seek leave to move a motion without notice on the appointment of Assistant Speakers, despite Standing Order 29.

Is there any objection to that course being taken? There is none.

I move, That this House appoint the Hon Poto Williams and Barbara Kuriger as Assistant Speakers until the end of Thursday, 16 March 2023, despite Standing Order 29.

The House has a busy week ahead, but two of our panel of Presiding Officers are absent, so it’s necessary to appoint two temporary Assistant Speakers for this week only. We are fortunate that we have two experienced members who have agreed to step in. Poto Williams served as Assistant Speaker for almost two years, from 2017 to 2019, and I know has the respect of the House for her calmness, authority, and fairness. Barbara Kuriger has stepped in as a temporary Assistant Speaker before and performed the role most capably and is highly valued across the House. We are grateful to both members for agreeing to take up the role of Assistant Speaker for this week only, and I commend their appointments to the House.

Motion agreed to.

I declare the House in committee for consideration of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2022-23, Platform Economy, and Remedial Matters) Bill (No 2).