Bronwyn Bishop resignation: Veteran MP Philip Ruddock expresses interest in becoming next speaker 3 Aug 2015, Veteran Liberal MP Philip Ruddock has expressed his interest in replacing Bronwyn Bishop as the speaker of the House of Representatives. Mrs Bishop resigned from the position yesterday afternoon following sustained pressure over her travel expenses. She had faced fierce criticism for almost three weeks since it was first revealed she spent more than $5,000 chartering a helicopter from Melbourne to Geelong to attend a Liberal Party fundraiser last November. Coalition MPs the ABC has spoken to believe "Father of the House" Mr Ruddock, 72, is the most likely replacement for Mrs Bishop. Mr Ruddock's office released a statement saying he would be available if his parliamentary colleagues sought it. 
He made headlines earlier in the year when he was sacked as chief government whip after Prime Minister Tony Abbott indicated Mr Ruddock "wasn't as aware as he should have been" of backbench unrest over his leadership. Neither Mr Ruddock or Nationals MP and deputy speaker Bruce Scott have said publicly whether they want the job, but it is understood both could be candidates. However, it is felt the Liberals would not want to give such a prized job to a Nationals MP unless a deal was cut involving the Nationals giving up a ministerial role. One Nationals MP said there was no way the party would give up a frontbench role, therefore likely ruling Mr Scott out of contention. 
But Deputy Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said Mr Scott would be a good choice. "Because he has the capacity just to deal with that role, he's retiring himself so no-one needs to feel threatened," he said. "There's still going to be the job for the speaker there after the next election and if somebody wanted a stop-gap between now and the election, then I think Bruce Scott would be an obvious choice."
|
