Who will replace Bishop as Speaker?

Names already being touted as possibilities to replace Bronwyn Bishop as Speaker include Bruce Scott, Jane Prentice and Sharman Stone.

Philip Ruddock is seen during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, May 26, 2015.  (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

Philip Ruddock is seen during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, May 26, 2015. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP

Who will replace Bronwyn Bishop as Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Deputy Speaker Bruce Scott will take the chair when parliament resumes on August 10, as Acting Speaker.

Labor would support Mr Scott, who retires at the next election due in 2016, taking on the role full-time until his retirement.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said last week that if Tony Abbott had not made a "captain's pick" of Bronwyn Bishop after the 2013 election then someone "respected by all sides like Bruce Scott" would be in the chair.

Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan suggested two female Liberal MPs for the prestigious role: Jane Prentice, from the Brisbane seat of Ryan, and Murray MP Sharman Stone.

"(They are) intelligent, experienced, decent Liberal women," Ms MacTiernan tweeted on Sunday.

"They would be an ornament to parliament."

Of the two, only Ms Prentice is on the "speaker's panel" - a group of 14 MPs appointed to fill the chair when necessary.

However Dr Stone is more familiar with parliamentary rules, having been a member since 1996.

Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson, who is also on the panel, is considered an outside possibility.

Liberal MP Phillip Ruddock has been touted as a possible contender for the coveted job.

"Yes, I would be available if my parliamentary colleagues sought it," he told AAP in a statement on Monday.

Cabinet minister Scott Morrison said Mr Ruddock was well respected but there were plenty of other good candidates.

It was important for the coalition party room to go through the "grassroots" process and pick a new Speaker.

"And that Speaker will set the tone for balance of this parliament, and hopefully beyond," Mr Morrison told 2GB radio on Monday.

Retiring Queensland Nationals MP Bruce Scott will be acting Speaker until parliament returns next Monday, when a new Speaker will be elected.

Mr Ruddock, a former Liberal minister who has been in parliament since 1973, is firming as the favourite to take on the role.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he hoped Prime Minister Tony Abbott did not impose another "captain's pick" on the parliament.


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Source: AAP


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