SPEAKER SLIPS AWAY

I suppose it was on the cards. No doubt there was some influence at work beyond the debate in the House of Reps today, but for the record Peter Slipper has now resigned as Speaker.

Channel Ten got the breaking story on You Tube:

ABC reported his final speech, noting:

Peter Slipper has announced his resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives just hours after a bill to have him removed from the position was narrowly defeated in Question Time.

The Opposition has been demanding he step down over offensive text messages, but their motion was voted down 70 votes to 69.

Mr Slipper says he was honoured to have been chosen as Speaker but recent events mean he is unable to continue in the role.

“It’s a wonderful privilege to serve in a Parliament and of course the interests of the Parliament are seriously more important than the interests of any of us, and I respect this Parliament too much to not put aside my personal interests,” he said.

“The importance of the House is… far more important than my future.”

Holding back tears, Mr Slipper reflected on the changes he tried to make as Speaker and thanked MPs on both sides of Parliament who have supported his reforms.

Speaking to Leigh Sales, Antony Albanese admitted he had spoken to the former Speaker. After reciprocal “G’day’s”:

Anna Burke is now the Speaker which means that the Governor-General, Prime Minister and Speaker are not female. So perhaps they will now start “wrecking the joint”, as per a former commercial radio announcer parroted.

Slip slidin’ away
You know the nearer your destination
The more you’re slip slidin’ away.
- Paul Simon

Related articles

• Day of shame: Slipper resigns (smh.com.au)
• The Speaker slips away… (thepunch.com.au)
• Australian speaker weakens gov’t grip by quitting (mysanantonio.com)

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