Speaker, Election

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (11:39): I remind the House of Assembly that it is now necessary to proceed to the election of a Speaker. I move:

That the member for Hartley take the chair of the house as Speaker.

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (11:39): I second the motion that the member for Hartley be Speaker.

The CLERK: Member for Hartley?

Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (11:39): I accept the nomination.

The CLERK: Are there any further nominations? There being no further nominations, I declare the member for Hartley elected Speaker.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Mr Tarzia was escorted to the dais by the mover and the seconder of the motion.

The SPEAKER (11:40): In compliance with the standing orders and in accordance with the traditions of parliament, I humbly submit myself to the will of the house. I congratulate members on their re-election. I look forward to working with you to maintain the decorum and dignity of the house. I look forward to all of us working together for the advancement of the great state of South Australia and its people. The Premier.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (11:41): Mr Speaker, I offer my congratulations on behalf of the government. Since your election in 2014, you have been a very capable and effective member of this house. Your very active work on behalf of your constituents was recognised in the strong vote that you received on 17 March for your re-election. You surprised many of the pundits, you surprised many of the so-called experts, but you did not surprise those who know how hard you have worked on behalf of the constituents of Hartley.

You have a firm grasp of parliamentary procedure and you act with integrity at all times. I have great confidence in how you will carry out the role bestowed on you by this house today. I am sure that you will act with fairness to all members and that your occupancy of this high office will be a distinguished one. Congratulations, sir.

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (11:42): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the opposition I join the Premier in congratulating you on your election as Speaker. You are the 35^th Speaker of this place and, significantly, the youngest Speaker, I understand, in the history of the state. You occupy an office of great importance in our parliamentary democracy, and you begin this role with the opposition's very good wishes. It is our hope that you are independent and objective over the life of this parliament.

As the new leader of the South Australian parliamentary Labor Party, I am eager to demonstrate that one can be passionate and robust during debates while also maintaining a standard of civility. It is my intention, and that of my colleagues, that we will bring this approach to this chamber. We would like to work with you, not against you. Mr Speaker, we trust that you will exercise leadership in remaining independent so that the opposition can fulfil its obligation of holding this government to account. I wish you all the very best in the 54^th parliament.

The SPEAKER: Thank you, leader.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (11:43): I inform the house that His Excellency the Governor will be prepared to receive the house for the purposes of presenting the Speaker at 12.15pm today. I move:

That the sitting of the house be suspended until 12.05pm.

Motion carried.

Sitting suspended from 11:43 to 12:06.