Who has the right to appoint and dismiss the Speaker of the House of Representatives?
Thanks for the question, Garnet!
The Australian Constitution tells us that members of the House of Representatives are in charge of appointing and dismissing the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The Speaker must be a member of House of Representatives and be chosen by a vote of all its members. The election of the Speaker is the first business of the House of Representatives whenever the role of Speaker is vacant. They are appointed for the term of the Parliament and may continue if the government is returned at the next election.
Similarly, the Speaker can only be dismissed from office by a vote of all members of the House. Usually though, the Speaker leaves the role for other reasons, such as they resign from the role, no longer represent an electorate or there is a change of government.
The House of Representatives
DPS Auspic
The House of Representatives
DPS Auspic
Description
The House of Representatives is a large room with green furnishings. The seats are arranged in rows around a large central table. There is a large chair at the open end of the U-shaped seats that is elevated above the other chairs where the Speaker sits. Members of the House of Representatives sit in the U-shaped seats. Members of the public and the press sit observing from the balconies above the House.
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.