Labor MPs Rob Mitchell and Milton Dick are vying for the speakership,a prestigious role that comes with a salary of almost $370,000 – substantially more than an MP’s base salary of $211,250.
Labor waspoised to secure majority government with 76 seats on Monday night,as late counting by the Australian Electoral Commission showed the party was expected to retain the Melbourne seat of Macnamara,decreasing the likelihood it will look to the crossbench to fill the speaker’s role to maximise its numbers on the floor of the chamber.
Earlier on Monday,Steggall said she would consider the role if approached by the government,but threw her support behind third-term Centre Alliance-turned-independent member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie.
“She’s experienced,she’s worked with both sides,she’s been in a party situation and so I think she would be very appropriate,” Steggall said.
She said women had delivered the major parties a clear message they wanted to be seen and represented in the next parliament. The wave of incoming “teal” independents,who campaigned on a platform of gender equality and ousted Liberal men,will boost the female representation in the chamber.
“Women want a seat at the table,and there is talk of Labor putting a lot more women on their front bench,which is good,” Steggall said. “But in circumstances where you have a prime minister and treasurer,who are male and you have a leader of the opposition who is male,I think a female speaker would be more than appropriate.”