Tony Smith has a lot of talent but because of a perceived stumble over communications policy in the 2010 election campaign he was demoted from the Opposition front bench and kept in the freezer until today.
While other Peter Costello staffers such as Mitch Fifield and Kelly O'Dwyer were promoted by the Abbott government, Tony Smith never was. The punishment seems to have long outlived the so-called “crime”.
Without the job of Speaker, he was looking at many years in Parliament without his strengths being publicly endorsed by the leadership team.
The early indications are that he will be a good Speaker and bring vigour and depth to the role.
In an indication of new times ahead, Mr Smith said in his acceptance speech that Parliament should be robust but it doesn't need to be rude or loud. He has asked all members of the House of Representatives to help him make it a better place for debate.
Mr Smith, 48, is respected by both sides of Parliament and the Greens. He has spent his full adult life involved in politics as a student and ministerial staffer.
Mr Smith was an adviser to former Treasurer Peter Costello from 1990 to 2001 and was earlier a student Liberal Party leader at Melbourne University. He was seen to have stumbled as Shadow Minister for Broadband and Communications - the policy he launched on the then-Opposition's cheaper and slow broadband policy was criticised as hard to understand. His ties to Peter Costello were also seen within the right wing of the Liberal Party as a problem.
But as is often the case in politics, his treatment didn't seem fair or reasonable in general terms. Many supporters felt he had been passed over for no good, long-term reason.
After congratulating him, Prime Minister Abbott made a reference to the disappointments in Mr Smith's career when he spoke to the House of Representatives.
"Your job is to maintain order in this House by commanding the respect of both sides of the Chamber. I am confident, based on our friendship and comradeship going back some quarter of a century that this is exactly what you will do. May I say, Mr Speaker, that in the course of your 15-year parliamentary career, you have met with some disappointments. It is precisely because you have met with triumph and disaster and treated both those imposters the same that you have so strongly commanded a majority inside the Liberal Party room and why you have been elected unopposed here in this Chamber. "
In student politics in Melbourne, Mr Smith knew Labor frontbenchers Richard Marles and David Feeney well and he made reference to that in his speech to the chamber.
Labor did not nominate a Speaker of its own so Mr Smith was elected unopposed. Opposition leader Bill Shorten welcomed the vote.
"You bring to this position a proud record of advocating for a more accountable, more representative Australian democracy, particularly in your role as Chairman of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters,” he said. “I'm sure this is a proud day for you and your family. Your elevation brings an opportunity - actually for all of us in this place - to reflect on our behaviour and how this Chamber operates. Let us begin by restoring a role of independence to the job of Speaker. Serving as Speaker is a privilege, not a prize. A responsibility, not a reward. Regardless of previous political allegiance, we welcome the Speaker's commitment not to attend their party room meetings."
Even the Greens were happy. MP Adam Bandt reflected the Greens support may be the “kiss of death”, nevertheless he welcomed Mr Smith to the Speakership.
"I don't know whether this is something you will like me saying or not but I know colleagues who have worked with you on the Joint Standing Committee who think very highly of you. Perhaps that's a kiss of death coming from the Greens but nonetheless I convey it."
"You have our full support."
Tony Smith is a popular choice, given extra poignancy by the overwhelming feeling that as a talented MP he deserves to be recognised by this government.
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