Page 3 - Week 01 - Friday, 27 March 1992
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ELECTION OF PRESIDING OFFICER
The Clerk: Is it the wish of the Assembly to proceed with the election of the Presiding Officer?
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister): Mr Clerk, I propose Ms Roberta McRae as Presiding Officer of the Assembly and I move:
That Ms McRae do take the chair of this Assembly as Presiding Officer.
Ms McRae: I accept the nomination.
The Clerk: Is there any further proposal?
The time for proposals has expired. There being no further proposals, I declare Ms McRae, the member proposed, to have been elected as Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer having taken the chair -
THE PRESIDING OFFICER: I would just like to express my thanks for the confidence you have all shown in me and thank the Assembly for the honour you have conferred on me today.
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister), by leave: Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate you very warmly on your election to what is a very important office. I understand that you will be going into history as only the fourth woman Presiding Officer in an Australian parliament. I am sure that all members here believe that the position of Presiding Officer in any house of parliament is a very important one. That is because the occupant plays a leading role in setting the tone for members' conduct and in determining whether the parliament works effectively. The impartiality and fairness, or otherwise, of the Presiding Officer is a very key factor in this equation.
Madam Speaker, the responsibility in your case, of course, is all the greater because you are only the second Speaker in the Legislative Assembly for the ACT and this Assembly is still very much in its formative stages. As the Speaker of this new Assembly, you will be playing a major role in defining the position of Speaker and the way in which future assemblies function.
Madam Speaker, the Assembly has shown its confidence in you today and they have shown that confidence because you are, in fact, well qualified for the job. In deciding to elect you to this position, members are conscious of the work that you have done in the community, your reputation for fairness and your reputation for being willing to listen and to consider everybody's views. I am confident that you will fill the role of Speaker with great distinction and earn the respect of all members here. I certainly offer you the support and the full cooperation of the Government, and I wish you every success in your new role.
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