Harry’s reasons

Harry Jenkins has ended the parliamentary year with a surprise, announcing he will resign as Speaker today:

In a statement to Parliament, Speaker Jenkins said he’d divorced himself from party political matters in order to carry out his duties in a non-partisan manner. “In this era of minority government I have progressively become frustrated at this stricture,” he said. “My desire is to be able to participate in policy and parliamentary debate, and this would be incompatible with continuing in the role of Speaker.”

Which is no huge deal if that’s all there is to it. But with the rift between Deputy Speaker Peter Slipper and his party widening of late – the LNP is presently considering disciplinary action against him – the suspicion exists that the government has reached an arrangement with him. If so, the return of Jenkins to the floor would enable the government to win confidence motions 76-73 rather than 75-74. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Events are moving quicker than my iPad typing speed. Phillip Coorey of the Sydney Morning Herald reports:

The Liberal MP, Peter Slipper, is likely to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives after Labor’s Harry Jenkins resigned this morning, shocking the Parliament on its final sitting day for 2011. Labor MPs will be asked to approve Mr Slipper’s nomination at a special caucus meeting scheduled for 10am.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

1,458 comments on “Harry’s reasons”

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  2. Someone reported on Poll Bludger earlier that Abbott had used the word “squalid” repeatedly an interview or press conference. It occurred to me at the time that the copious use of a particular word must have been Right-Wing Projection. In other words, he was describing himself and party. And sure enough, within hours of Labor doing what he conspicuously described as squalid, he/the Liberals were busy behind the scenes trying the very same tactic…

    [ The opposition decried the manoeuvre, revealed at 9am yesterday, as ”squalid” and ”sordid” but tried immediately to thwart it by trying to broker a similar deal with the NSW independent Rob Oakeshott.

    Using the West Australian Nationals crossbencher, Tony Crook, as an intermediary, Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop worked on Mr Oakeshott throughout the morning.

    Mr Abbott phoned him at midday to offer the deal he had refused the independent during the negotiations last year to form government – being speaker but still able to move private members’ legislation. ”Whatever you want to do to improve the working of this place, we’ll back you,” Mr Abbott offered. ]

  3. [Gary the SMH article referred to it as a dodgy deal however I agree with them.]
    So David, a paper calls it ‘dodgy’ and that for you makes it ‘dodgy’? I was hoping you had a better reason than that.

  5. It has shown that when it comes to playing grubby and trashing parliamentary convention our PM is no better than Abbott however that will be lost on most people. I was very disgusted with Abbott over the pairing issue a while back and now Gillard has sunk to the same level. Neither deserve the respect of Aussies.

    So I guess what you’re saying there is that, Abbott and co having continued to trash parliamentary convention and play grubby politics for two years, and having gained all sorts of poll support by doing so, Gillard ought to just sit there and take it. Apparently, the Coalition can set any sort of level they please for themselves – and we’ve seen a few stunts, haven’t we? – but the ALP must maintain strict standards of behaviour at all times. That seems fair…

    As Abbott is always so fond of saying, we play our politics hard in this country, very robust etc etc. Well, this is just an example of the hard politics he advocates. Yes, he did play cheap politics on the pairing issue. He’s now been called on it.

    It would be just lovely if strict parliamentary standards were adhered to. But that’s not the way the game has been played lately; and the electorate has shown that they’ll happily reward gutter tactics. If they really cared about that sort of stuff, Labor would have an unassailable lead by now. If they’ve decided that there’s nothing to gain by playing nice, and they’d much rather just get the legislation passed, you can hardly blame them.

  6. It seems it’s fine for the Libs to trash conventions, because you know, politics should be played hard. Take no prisoners and all that. But when Labor do, well, then it’s a case of it’s just not the done thing old boy.

    It’s politics, when has it ever not been dog eat dog, do whatever it takes for victory.

  7. Jackol it’s called respecting principles and having a balanced view something people who are blinded by loyalty have difficulty with at times. There is nothing wrong with being critical of your team if they deserve the criticism.

  8. [Did anyone else find Jones annoying in his questioning of Albo? I thought he was way out of line with his request/instruction that Albo cease using the term “noalition”.]

    I’m pretty sure that somebody on Poll Bludger commented that a Liberal was on Their ABC this morning calling Labor “Liebor”

  9. There are many conventions that are important. The pairing convention, for example, is an important convention that allows Parliament to function in a civilized manner. Who was trashing that convention again (or at least attempting to)?

    The convention that the Speaker is from the government is no such thing. It arose because the government usually has the numbers on the floor of the house when the vote for Speaker is taken. ie it’s a structural/procedural artifact. As a convention, it serves no purpose to make Parliament function better, and it is quite antagonistic to sensible debates because the independence of the Speaker is always in question.

    A convention that a member of a non-government party is Speaker would actually be a good convention to develop, or like Westminster does, the Speaker is effectively made partyless while in the position.

    You don’t just have a blanket “conventions should always be upheld” without looking at what the convention is you’re talking about.

  10. Listening to Lateline (Tony v Albo; only Albo) & wondered in PB was back on line …

    For a Queensland (inc LNP) take on Slippery Pete’s defection – we’ve been living with this Somlyay +Brough v Slipper saga for years, now – Slipper planned election stir, LNP claims

    BTW: The real gems are in the comments. Might give one to wonder whether Abbott, Pyne etc actually understand anything about the Ls in Qld’s LNP

    [Queensland’s Liberal National Party has accused defector Peter Slipper of having planned to quit the party during the upcoming state election campaign to cause a major distraction…

    Mr Slipper, who had been facing a pre-selection challenge in the Sunshine Coast seat of Fisher from former Howard government minister Mal Brough, resigned from the LNP following his elevation to the new role today..

    In a statement, LNP state director Michael O’Dwyer accused Mr Slipper of “gross disloyalty”, saying he had been planning to quit the party for some time.

    “In addition to the concerns received from local Sunshine Coast members of the LNP, matters of concern were also brought to the attention of the state executive from other persons, including most recently, Mr Slipper’s disclosure to a third party that he was intending to resign from the party during the forthcoming state election campaign to purposely create a serious distraction for his state colleagues,” he said in a statement.]

    Some Comments:

    [So the liberals were planning to expel him and then they’re surprised when he quits??? The think its a conspiracy???

    I think they need to have a lie down and a drink of water, or else will have to call the men in white coats. (Chris)]

    [Having watched Question time over the past year or so I’m surprised more LNP members don’t quit. Their front bench is an absolute rabble. They just never shut up. They ask a question then start shouting before the answer comes through. (oldon34)]

    [Oh god the laughs just keep coming from the sideshow know as the Liberal National …
    (John Fraser)]

  13. There is nothing wrong with being critical of your team if they deserve the criticism.

    Absolutely.

    What I was (I hope gently) poking fun at you for was the fact that you frequently seem incapable of criticizing the conservative side without feeling a compulsion to add in “But Julia Gillard/the ALP are just as bad”. You’re also not the only one to do that – Glen was famous for it. Mantra like.

  14. [I still want to know what ‘conventions’ have been trashed by the House electing a Speaker.]

    It breaks the convention that the rabble are better economic managers and therefore do not need to be told how to rule.

  16. I still want to know what ‘conventions’ have been trashed by the House electing a Speaker.

    Possibly the ‘convention’ that the ALP are a ‘rabble’ and that they’re overly reliant on independents for their survival, that an election is just around the corner, that they’re one by-election away from losing power. Those sorts of conventions – the ones the Coalition are really furious about.

  18. [awelder Andrew Elder
    @
    @gussy101 @debststar Doubt that Abbott will be gone soon. The one thing he has in common with Hewson is that he’ll be done slowly.]

  19. Tony Jones did himself no credit earlier on LL, it was as if Tony Abbott had written the questions for him to ask Albo.

    The poor old MSM can’t get it through their thick heads that their patron saint Phoney Abbott was completely wrongfooted by the Labor brains trust.
    And from what little I saw of Slipper in action this afternoon, he’ll make a far better speaker than Harry Jenkins.

  21. [Tony Jones did himself no credit earlier on LL, it was as if Tony Abbott had written the questions for him to ask Albo.

    The poor old MSM can’t get it through their thick heads that their patron saint Phoney Abbott was completely wrongfooted by the Labor brains trust.
    And from what little I saw of Slipper in action this afternoon, he’ll make a far better speaker than Harry Jenkins.]

    TLM

    It surprises me to be saying this in relation to one of your posts, but I agree with every word of that.

    Keep up the good work.

  22. Harry Jenkins was probably a bit too fair on the Liberals but the way the LNP and their Tory Papers are lining up against Slipper tonight Slipper might go down in Australian Political History as the first Tory to sort out a whole Federal Opposition rabble and haul it into line.

  23. [The Daily Tele doesn’t disappoint. They have gone the dirt on Slipper]

    Seems they are copying and pasting stuff already printed in the local rag in Slipper’s electorate.

  24. Evening all, just back from a long day and what do I find – the Hon. Peter Slipper has elected to become an independent, that he might better represent his constituents! This is clearly permissible under the Godwin Grech convention of Australian parlimentary democracy. I would say it would be interesting to look up what Abbott said when Mal Colston was bribed into voting with Howard, but I am too busy laughing to do the search 🙂

    There is a clear message from this – Tony Abbott’s leadership must come under question! If he cannot keep his own members in line, how could he run a government? He must be asked these questions. Pass the popcorn, this should be fun 🙂

  25. Jackol with genuine due respect I don’t agree with that allegation although I often get accused of that here. When Abbott was threatening to trash the pairing convention a while back I expressed my disgust strongly without qualification and have been very critical of Abbott much more critical of him than the PM. However I genuinely believe that Australian politics is currently at a very low point from both sides and I will continue to criticize both sides. I think there are many of us out there who feel the same at present and unless and until politicians get that message and lift their performance across the board then Australia will continue to be let down.

    I just don’t agree with the majority here that we have a good government and that being the government is the end game. Being a good and effective government should be the end game and I have little confidence either side is capable of providing that at present.

  26. Damn, Grattan’s editorial today is bad even by her recent standards. Did you know that the actual outcomes of this deal don’t matter because it confirms that Gillard is ‘tawdry’ and it has a ‘NSW Right’ feel to it? The ending is especially lame.

    [Last night Labor was looking smug but grubby. Gillard has added a dubious deal to an unfortunate record of stabbing her former leader in the back, and breaking a key election promise. Some of her colleagues do not accept her account of events. While the prospect of the government lasting full term is much enhanced, Gillard’s own fate rests where it was before – on the opinion polls. Sometimes the hung Parliament forces the government to do the odd good thing. You might say we saw that this week when it had to agree to more scrutiny of coal seam gas development. And sometimes it brings out the worst in a leader and a party. We saw that yesterday.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/pms-bait-and-switch-for-power-20111124-1nwwh.html#ixzz1ed2fvzcG%5D

  27. http://afr.com/p/national/dirty_deal_shores_up_gillard_EyUZGJ2fIBAvyXqB2Ui96K

    Lots of detail, not behind the paywall. I’ll pick out one section. Laura & Fleur have done some calling to the right people re Thomson.

    [Dirty deal shores up Gillard
    PUBLISHED: 24 Nov 2011 09:07:00 | UPDATED: 25 Nov 2011 00:03:36

    Laura Tingle and Fleur Anderson

    The minority Labor government has strengthened its grip on power after it installed Liberal defector Peter ­Slipper as Speaker following the shock resignation of Labor MP Harry Jenkins from the job.

    ……………………..

    Rumours swept federal Parliament yesterday that the reason for the timing of Mr Jenkins’s announcement was related to the fact that the NSW police were close to completing an inquiry into alleged secret commissions involving officials of the Health Services Union, during the tenure of Federal Labor MP Craig Thomson. But a senior NSW police spokeswoman said that the investigation had a long way to run. Strike Force Carnarvon was established in September 2011 to investigate allegations of fraud committed against the HSU.

    “The investigation is still on­going,” the police spokeswoman said. “It is a complex investigation and is anticipated to be protracted. No charges have been laid and it is not envisaged charges will be laid against any person in the near future.”

    The investigation relates to allegations that Mr Thomson and the union’s NSW chief, Michael Williamson, received credit cards from a graphic design business that received a contract to produce the union’s newsletter. The two men have denied the allegations.

    A separate inquiry is being conducted by the Victoria police but a spokeswoman said this was continuing. “It’s still an active, current investigation,” she said.

    Fair Work Australia is due to complete a report on the finances of the HSU by the end of the year.]

    Worth a read

  28. Speakers and Minority Govts…
    Abbott doesn’t know the facts of History
    _________________
    There were two minority Labor Govts in the first decade of Federation,that of Watson,and the first Fisher Governmen..(Fisher later led two majority govts. in 1910 and in 1914)

    On both occasions Labor retained the conservation speaker ,Sir Fredrich Holdrer in the Chair
    .
    In 1941,when Curtin took power after the collapse of the conservative government of the day,he had a conservative party Speaker Nairn… in the Chair.
    Curtin depended on two independents to hold power
    He did not replace Nairn and the first two years of the Curtin minority Govt.saw a conservative speaker in the chair
    So Abbott is just plain wrong !!!!!!

  29. Just on the Craig Thomson matter, didn’t we all agree four months ago that even if Thomson was charged with something serious it would probably take at least a year or two before he would be required to leave parliament?

  30. I can see the headlines in tomorrow’s News Ltd papers. It could be:
    [Gillard majority strengthened by Lib defection; or
    Liberal parliamentary team disintegrates]
    But instead I suspect they will be more like this:
    [Canberra rocked by treason against Opposition;
    Labor bribes MP to cling to office;
    Abbott cheated of numbers in House;]
    Those playing drinking games on the first conservative columnist to say “gets into bed with Gillard” will soon be drunk.

  32. [Don’t mistake that for a “you watch, things will turn around!” post. But more “don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” The deadliest two things in politics are complacency and hubris.
    ]

    Well said, Carey.

    I’ve had my head in the clouds lately, what’s the update on the mining tax? Did it actually pass through the HoR?

    In other news though, Mr John Howard will be in a shopping centre near Perth (in about a week) signing copies of his recent autobiography… interesting.

  33. DavidWH – I didn’t think you would agree with me, so it’s all good.

    It seems there are 2 separate things going on here – the wooing of Peter Slipper (and the fact this was only a possibility due to complete mismanagement of personalities and conflicts within the LNP, primarily by one T Abbott), and on the other hand the role and conventions surrounding the Speaker.

    I won’t speak too much on the whole turncloak/rat thing because I don’t see any broader principles at work here. In a sense I agree with you that it shows a level of grubby politics (or as the MSM would describe it if Tony Abbott was the author “hard headed political streetfighting”).

    My comments have been mainly about the conflicted role of Speaker and what conventions have/should apply there – and in my mind, the concept of a non-government Speaker is one that is unequivocally a Good Thing and should be encouraged, although as I said before I realize this is only a product of the current exceptional political circumstances, and once majority government returns this will be a mere historical curiosity. Sadly.

  34. [Damn, Grattan’s editorial today is bad even by her recent standards. Did you know that the actual outcomes of this deal don’t matter because it confirms that Gillard is ‘tawdry’ and it has a ‘NSW Right’ feel to it? The ending is especially lame.]

    I’m looking forward to BBs dismembering of la stupenda tomorrow. She’s certainly given him plenty to work on.

  35. [I’ve had my head in the clouds lately, what’s the update on the mining tax? Did it actually pass through the HoR?]

    Yes, it passed in the very early hours of Wednesday morning after a very late night sitting.

  36. If you put the articles together you get close to the truth. The Oz has Labor MPs other than Gillard & Albo talking to Slipper in the lead up, “courting him”. Also says its a buffer “in the event” of Thomson coming undone. The AFR does the checks, nothing is happening soon in the HSU investigations, so no trigger there. Dennis Atkins confirms Harry wanted to resign for other reasons.

    I belive this close to the truth. Slipper had let some MPs know he would consider something as he was due to be cut loose by the LNP, when Harry (who probably knew this was possible, as Slipper wanted the job before) resigned on the last day he could, Slipper put his hand up and the PM & Albo grabbed the chance.

  37. [Yes, it passed in the very early hours of Wednesday morning after a very late night sitting.]

    Good to hear, I guess. Although, I was speaking to a man who works for a mining company, his theory is that the tax will hardly affect the major companies.

  38. Apparently there were four people present in the public gallery when the mining tax was passed. Probably a good sign that it is not an issue worth the acres of newsprint it attracted at some stages.

  39. Perhaps you’d find a rough background timeline of today’s snooker by Slipper (note, some of the scandals are mentioned in today’s reportage; others soon may be):

    * 24 Nov 2007: Mal Brough, Liberals’ young ‘Future PM’ loses Longman to the ALP.

    * Considered too valuable to the Libs to lose, pressure is exerted on older members in nearby seats, Alex Somlyay (Brough’s mentor) and Peter Slipper (esp Slipper) to retire in his favour. Both refuse (and despite continuing pressure, both are automatically preselected for the LNP for 2010)

    * Brough leaves for interstate, in search of a seat. None can be found.

    * Pre-selection time for Election 2010 sees Brough trying to find a SEQ seat in the Logan, Beaudesert, Gold Coast area. No electoral committee prepared to consider him. Brough still can not get a seat to contest in Election 2010.

    * Post-election rumours abound that either Somlyay or Slipper will have to go before Election 2013.

    * After the Indies’ decision, rumours are that, after Abbott welshed on ‘Paired Speaker’ deal, the ALP approached Somlyay and Slipper re Deputy Speaker. Somlyay had the factional numbers to hold his seat, Slipper did not.

    * Slipper accepts nomination for Deputy Speaker & is elected, knowing he has little chance of being pre-selected. In 2011, Slipper is involved in a huge expenses claim which erodes his electorate’s support.

    * Very recently. Brough, backed by Somlyay (& Abbott) decided to challenge Slipper for pre-selection. It is made very clear to Slipper that he will not be selected.

    * Last week or so (esp after the school visit with Rudd), LNP moves to expel on Wednesday of next week. Reconsidered night of 23 Nov 2011.

    * 24 Nov 2011. Slipper elected Speaker. Resigns from LNP.

    How’s that for a spectacular LNP own goal!

    Though, of course, according to Abbott & Co, it’s all That Woman, Julia Gillard’s fault!

    Off to bed now. Good night all. .

  40. [Yes, it passed in the very early hours of Wednesday morning after a very late night sitting.

    Good to hear, I guess. Although, I was speaking to a man who works for a mining company, his theory is that the tax will hardly affect the major companies.]

    I see it as just a beginning – the thin edge of the wedge.. When Labour next has a decent majority there’s no reason why they can’t stick it to the mining companies a lot more.

    Anyway, nite all.

  42. OzPol Tragic if I was going to get rolled in favour of an unelectable Brough then I’d be wanting some form of compensation too. Far from being a rat it is clear there is a long history of the LNP trying to squeeze Slipper out of his job and replace him with a proven vote deflector.

  44. [For Harry Potter fans, JKR will be on Leveson in about 10 minutes]

    My guess is that place is not in WA?

    What’s been happening, Ducky?

  45. Blossom,

    It’ll be on ABC24.

    Not a lot happening. swmbo and I off to Wagga Wagga later today for three days to babysit three grandkids. Daughter is doing a weekend stocktake on the RAAF base. Son in law is with the ADF in Afghanistan.

  48. So Tony Crooks, self appointed free thinking independent WA National in the Federal Parliament, the crusader for righteous constituent interests, turns out to be no more than a grubby, weasely brown bag carrier for Tony Abbott and the Liberals in their sordid and squalid attempt to bribe Rob Oakshott.

    Who’da thunk?

  50. [Indeed. A terrific account of how Twitter, Mumbrella and Mark Colvin activated the Kyle Sandilands episode as a story, because God knows his audience didn’t think anything of it when it happened.
    ]

    That bastard is still around?

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