05-31-2022, 03:51 AM
Andrew Wilkie is the obvious choice. He has strong local support and his constituents wouldn’t feel let down if he becomes an umpire rather than player. That might not be the case with just-elected independents whose constituents might expect some action on the floor.
The downside would be that the speaker’s chair couldn’t be used as a bone to resolve factional demands and appointing Wilkie may mean Labor doesn’t get to put a finger on the scales when the action on the floor heats up. For instance, Bronwyn Bishop’s selective hearing meant she rarely heard any LNP comments that may have warranted action.
The downside would be that the speaker’s chair couldn’t be used as a bone to resolve factional demands and appointing Wilkie may mean Labor doesn’t get to put a finger on the scales when the action on the floor heats up. For instance, Bronwyn Bishop’s selective hearing meant she rarely heard any LNP comments that may have warranted action.