Newly-elected Speaker Tony Smith has promised to allow "robust" debate in parliament, but warned MPs to be better behaved.
The 48-year-old Victorian MP on Monday won a Liberal party room ballot to take over the speakership from Bronwyn Bishop.
The MP for Casey defeated fellow Victorian Russell Broadbent, who reportedly was backed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
South Australian Andrew Southcott and Queenslander Ross Vasta were defeated in earlier rounds of the ballot.
In his first words from the Speaker's chair Mr Smith said he would give a fair go to everyone.
"Parliament is a robust place ... it is the arena for the battle of ideas and ideals," he said.
"But it needn't be rude and it needn't be loud - that is something I'd like to see improved."
In distinguishing himself from his predecessor, who resigned over an expenses scandal, Mr Smith pledged not to attend regular party room meetings and promised to meet with cross-party leadership and the crossbench to smooth the operation of the parliament.
Mrs Bishop quit after the scandal over her use of a taxpayer-funded helicopter to attend a Liberal fundraiser in November 2014.
Mr Smith is the 30th Speaker in the 114 years of Australia's parliament and the fifth since 2011.
His nomination was moved in the parliament by Deakin MP Michael Sukkar and seconded by Robertson MP Lucy Wicks - two first-term parliamentarians.
Labor did not put forward an alternative candidate for the role.
Mr Abbott said he was confident, based on his friendship with Mr Smith, that the new Speaker would maintain order by commanding the respect of both sides of the chamber.
The prime minister also paid tribute to Mrs Bishop, who he personally nominated for the role after the 2013 election.
"Despite some admitted errors of judgment, she has served this parliament, our country, her party, with dedication and distinction for over 30 years," Mr Abbott said.
"She has been a warrior for the causes that she believed in."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten congratulated Mr Smith, whose elevation was an "opportunity for all of us to reflect on our behaviour".
"And for all our clashes with the former Speaker, we wish her well," he said.
Mr Shorten said the occasion was a chance to lift the standards of parliament and called for supplementary questions to be reinstated to improve scrutiny in question time.
Former speaker Anna Burke agreed with Mr Smith's idea of parliament being robust.
"We don't want question time all very nice and sedate," she told ABC television. "People are here because they're passionate about their country and doing the best for their constituency."
Share
