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Vic speaker should resign: opposition

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says Ken Smith will remain as parliamentary speaker, despite calls from the opposition for him to resign.

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Source: AAP


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Victoria's Labor opposition has called on lower house speaker Ken Smith to resign, saying he has lost the confidence of most of the house.

But Premier Denis Napthine says there are no plans to replace the speaker and Mr Smith will remain.

The call came after independent MP Geoff Shaw, who holds the balance of power in the lower house, sided with Labor on Tuesday to stall government business and express no confidence in the speaker.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said the speaker's position is now untenable.

"The speaker has lost the confidence of the house, the speaker cannot command a majority on the floor of the house. Frankly, the speaker should go," he told reporters on Wednesday.

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"A decent speaker, knowing he had lost the confidence of the house, wouldn't be the speaker anymore.

"He would've considered his position overnight and he would've tendered his resignation at 9.30 this morning."

Mr Andrews said it is now up to Victorians to decide whether Mr Smith is a servant of the parliament or of the Liberal Party.

"Perhaps Captain Courageous, the premier, should allow a vote and a debate on the speaker's future," he said.

"Bring a confidence motion on."

But Dr Napthine said there are no plans to replace the speaker.

"Ken Smith will remain as speaker," he said.

"I just want to get on and govern."

Dr Napthine said the government is confident of Mr Shaw's support for its legislative program and the continuation of the government.

Mr Shaw did not attend question time on Wednesday.


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