“Today I met with Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne to discuss recent public comments

made by them in relation to the “Agreement for a Better Parliament” document, and to
clarify whether their concerns are constitutional, practical, or political in relation to Section
2.1 an Independent Speaker.

A clear and explicit agreement was reached on the 6th September 2010.  Due diligence was
assumed to have been done by all parties.  Under Section 50 of the Australian Constitution,
arrangements can be made by Members for the “order and conduct of its business and
proceedings”. 

However, by coincidence or design, concerns have been raised – constitutional, practical,

political, or a combination of all three regarding this Agreement.  In light of this confusion
about the honouring of the Agreement, I would be very reluctant to accept any nomination
for Speaker.

Section 2.1 was done to “dodge the bullet” (as per my comments at the media conference
announcing the Agreement on 6th September) of the potential for the Coalition to “offer up”
a Labor MP or  the Labor Party to “offer up” a Coalition MP on day one next week, with no-
one accepting any position.  I hope this problem does not now eventuate, and that a
working agreement can be reached for this Parliament.

Mr Abbott has agreed to come back within 24 hours on the issue of a Liberal Party MP in the
Speakers Chair, something I would strongly consider endorsing as a step towards the
Westminster model of a truly Independent Speaker.  I look forward to a positive response.”