The Speaker

Who is the Speaker?

The Speaker is the Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives. He or she is a Member of the House who is elected to the office by the other Members.

The Speaker usually belongs to the political party that forms the Government. However, he or she is expected to deal fairly with all Members. The Speaker does not vote on motions in the Chamber unless the numbers are equal. In this case, he or she has the deciding vote.

The Speaker should have a good understanding of how Parliament works, balanced judgement and the respect of the Members.

• preside over meetings of the House and enforce the rules of the House, and
• represent the House in its dealings with the Governor-General, the Government,
  the Senate, other parliaments and organisations.

The origins of the office of Speaker

The office of Speaker dates back to fourteenth century England, when the Speaker was spokesman for the Parliament in its dealings with the monarch.

The role of Speaker was central to the ongoing power struggle between the English monarchy and Parliament. The Speaker’s job was often a dangerous one. Initially, the Speaker was an agent of the King or Queen. When Parliament gained the upper hand in the seventeenth century, the Speaker usually acted for the Parliament. Many terms in office were cut short by murder, execution, imprisonment, impeachment or expulsion.