Sky News AM Agenda

SUBJECTS: Speakership E&OE……………………………………………………………………………………… (Greeting omitted) Hon Christopher Pyne MP: Well the story has become somewhat garbled in the retelling I think Kieran the truth is that Alex said to a few people in the Chamber that if the Liberal Party put up a nominee for Speaker that he’d be happy to be our nominee. He didn’t go to the Labor Party and offer to be a Speaker, so it’s important to clear that up. I’ve spoken to Alex Somlyay myself a few moments ago and he made it clear that there has been some confusion in the retelling of that story and he wanted to be the Liberal nominee if there was a Liberal nominee but, of course our view is that the government should provide the Speaker. They nominated Anna Burke and she was unanimously elected. Kieran Gilbert: I understand that the Coalition wouldn’t accept Peter Slippers vote isn’t it now a tainted vote given all the arguments the Coalition made against the former Coalition member yesterday. Pyne: The real issue here Kieran is that the Prime Minister hasn’t shown any judgement over the Speakership over the last twelve months. Twelve months ago Harry Jenkins stood aside and she replaced him with Peter Slipper. He was her personal choice and yesterday she led the Peter Slipper defence team in the Parliament showing bad judgement yet again. This is about the Prime Minister’s judgement and her Caucus will be thinking about her bad judgement yet again on a very important issue like the Speakership. We should never have been in this position where we have been in, in the last 24 hours and it’s entirely of the Prime Ministers doing. She can’t blame anybody else like she always likes to do this was entirely her decision. Gilbert: Mr Pyne I know you have to go we appreciate the quick chat. Thank you. ENDS