JOSTLING FOR SPEAKER
* PHILIP RUDDOCK
Former Howard government minister is the current longest-serving member of parliament and was previously on the Speaker's panel for five years.
* TONY SMITH
Popular Victorian MP and one-time parliamentary secretary who hasn't been able to crack a ministerial role since being elected in 2001. Well respected by both sides of parliament for his committee work.
* RUSSELL BROADBENT
Has been a federal MP on and off since 1990, losing his seat in 1993 and 1998. Recently mentioned in media reports as having hosted alleged Mafia boss Tony Madafferi for lunch in Parliament House.
* SHARMAN STONE
Federal member for Murray since 1996 and former workplace participation minister in the Howard government. She has spoken out against the government when issues impact on her electorate, such as the threatened shutdown of the SPC fruit processing factory.
* ANDREW SOUTHCOTT
Adelaide doctor who has been in parliament since 1996. Has held shadow ministry roles but missed out in the first Abbott government ministry. Could benefit from the prime minister seeking to bolster Liberal stocks in South Australia.
* BRUCE SCOTT
Currently Deputy Speaker, the Queensland Nationals MP is set to retire at the next election. Labor says he'd be a good choice as he has nothing to gain. Liberals are unlikely to back him.
* TERESA GAMBARO
Tony Abbott stopped the Liberal-National Party rolling her at the recent preselection in her seat of Brisbane. Was assistant minister for immigration briefly in 2007, having been in parliament on and off since 1996.
Share
