Page tools

Appendix 2

Fifth Edition

Print this appendix (PDF 115KB)

Appendix 2 Speakers of the House of Representatives

Name
and Division

Party

Government Party

Parliament

Periods of
office *

Elected to Speakership and reason for vacating office

HOLDER, Hon. Sir Frederick William, KCMG, (Knighted June 1902) SA (from 30.3.1901)	Free Trade	Protectionist (from 1.1.1901)	1st 9.5.1901 – 23.11.1903	9.5.1901 – 23.11.1903	Elected 9.5.1901, unopposed
Wakefield, SA (16.12.1903 – 23.7.1909)	Protectionist (from 1903)	ALP (from 27.4.1904) Free Trade – Protectionist (from 18.18.1904)	2nd 2.3.1904 – 5.11.1906	2.3.1904 – 5.11.1906	Re-elected 2.3.1904, unopposed
	Anti-Socialist (from 1906)	Protectionist (from 5.7.1905)
		ALP (from 13.11.1908)	3rd 20.2.1907 – 19.2.1910	20.2.1907 – 23.7.1909	Re-elected 20.2.1907, unopposed
		Fusion (from 2.6.1909)			Died in office, 23.7.1909

SALMON, Hon. Charles Carty Laanecoorie, Vic. (29.3.1901 – 23.4.1913	Protectionist Liberal (from 1910)	ALP (from 29.4.1910)		28.7.1909 – 19.2.1910	Elected 28.7.1909, opposed by 2 Members
Grampians, Vic. (20.2.1915 – 15.9.1917)	Liberal Nationalist (from 1917)				Nominated as Speaker, but not re-elected in 4th Parliament

McDONALD, Hon. Charles Kennedy, Qld (30.3.1901 – 3.10.1925)

ALP

4th
1.7.1910 – 23.4.1913

1.7.1910 – 23.4.1913

Elected 1.7.1910, opposed by previous Speaker Change of government at general election. Declined invitation to continue in office and not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 5th Parliament

JOHNSON, William Elliot Lang, NSW (16.12.1903 – 9.10.1928)

Free Trade Anti-Socialist (from 1906) Liberal (from 1910)

Liberal (from 24.6.1913)

5th
9.7.1913 – 30.7.1914

9.7.1913 – 30.7.1914

Elected 9.7.1913, unopposed Change of government at general election. Nominated but not re-elected as Speaker in 6th Parliament

McDONALD, Hon. Charles Kennedy, Qld (30.3.1901 – 3.10.1925)	ALP	ALP (from 17.9.1914) National Labour (from 14.11.1916)	6th 8.10.1914 – 26.3.1917	8.10.1914 – 26.3.1917	Elected 8.10.1914, opposed by previous Speaker
		Nationalist (from 17.2.1917)			Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 7th Parliament

JOHNSON, Sir William Elliot, KCMG (Knighted June 1920)	Free Trade Anti-Socialist (from 1906)		7th 14.6.1917 – 3.11.1919	14.6.1917 – 3.11.1919	Elected 14.6.1917, unopposed
Lang, NSW (16.12.1903 – 9.10.1928)	Liberal (from 1910) Nationalist (from 1917)		8th 26.2.1920 – 6.11.1922	26.2.1920 – 6.11.1922	Re-elected 26.2.1920, opposed by one Member Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 9th Parliament

WATT, Rt Hon. William Alexander Balaclava, Vic. (5.9.1914 – 5.7.1929)

Liberal Nationalist (from 1917) Liberal (from 1922) Nationalist (from 1925)

Nationalist – CP (from 9.2.1923)

9th 28.2.1923 – 3.10.1925

28.2.1923 – 3.10.1925

Elected 28.2.1923, unopposed Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 10th Parliament

GROOM, Hon. Sir Littleton Ernest, KCMG, KC, (Knighted Jan. 1924)	Protectionist Liberal (from 1910)		10th 13.1.1926 – 9.10.1928	13.1.1926 – 9.10.1928	Elected 13.1.1926, unopposed
Darling Downs, Qld (14.9.1901 – 16.9.1929 and 19.12.1931 – 6.11.1936)	Nationalist (from 1917) Independent (from 1931) UAP (from 1934)		11th 6.2.1929 – 16.9.1929	6.2.1929 – 16.9.1929	Re-elected 6.2.1929, unopposed Defeated at general election 12.10.29

MAKIN, Hon. Norman John Oswald, AO Hindmarsh, SA (13.12.1919 – 14.8.1946)	ALP Federal Labour Party (from 1931) ALP (from 1936)	ALP (from 22.10.1929)	12th 20.11.1929– 27.11.1931	20.11.1929– 27.11.1931	Elected 20.11.1929, unopposed Change of government at general election. Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 13th Parliament
Sturt, SA (from 29.5.1954) Bonython, SA (10.12.1955 – 1.11.1963)	ALP

MACKAY, George Hugh Lilley, Qld (5.5.1917 – 7.8.1934)

Nationalist UAP (from 1931)

UAP (from 6.1.1932)

13th
17.2.1932 – 7.8.1934

17.2.1932 – 7.8.1934

Elected 17.2.1932, unopposed Retired from Parliament

BELL, Hon. Sir George John, KCMG, DSO, VD (Knighted June1941)	Nationalist UAP (from 1931	UAP – CP (from 9.11.1934) UAP (from 26.4.1939)	14th 23.10.1934 – 21.9.1937	23.10.1934 – 21.9.1937	Elected 23.10.1934, unopposed
Darwin, Tas. (13.12.1919 – 6.11.1922 and 14.11.1925 – 7.7.1943)		UAP – CP (from 14.3.1940)	15th 30.11.1937 – 27.8.1940	30.11.1937 – 27.8.1940	Re-elected 30.11.1937, unopposed Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 16th Parliament

NAIRN, Walter Maxwell Perth, WA (12.10.1929 – 7.7.1943)

Nationalist UAP (from 1931)

CP – UAP (from 29.8.1941
ALP (from 7.10.1941)

16th
20.11.1940 – 7.7.1943

20.11.1940 – 21.6.1943

Elected 20.11.1940, unopposed Resigned 21.6.1943

ROSEVEAR, Hon. John Solomon Dalley, NSW (19.12.1931 – 21.3.1953)	NSW Labor ALP (from 1936) Non-Communist Labour Party (from 1940) ALP (from 1943)		17th 23.9.1943 – 16.8.1946	22.6.1943 – 7.7.1943 23.9.1943 – 16.8.1946	Elected 22.6.1943, unopposed Re-elected 23.9.1943, unopposed
			18th 6.11.1946 – 31.10.1949	6.11.1946 – 31.10.1949	Re-elected 6.11.1946, opposed by one Member Change of government at general election. Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 19th Parliament

CAMERON, Hon. Archie Galbraith	CP, Liberal (from 1944)		19th 22.2.1950 – 19.3.1951	22.2.1950 – 19.3.1951	Elected 22.2.1950, unopposed
Barker, SA (15.9.1934 – 9.8.1956)	Liberal Country League (from 1951)	Lib – CP (from 19.12.1949)	20th 12.6.1951 – 21.4.1954	12.6.1951 – 21.4.1954	Re-elected 12.6.1951, opposed by previous Speaker
	Liberal (from 1954)		21st 4.8.1954 – 4.11.1955	4.8.1954 – 4.11.1955	Re-elected 4.8.1954, opposed by one Member
			22nd 15.2.1956 – 14.10.1958	15.2.1956 – 9.8.1956	Re-elected 15.2.1956, opposed by one Member Died in office

McLEAY, Hon. Sir John, KCMG, MM, (Knighted Jan. 1962) Boothby, SA (10.12.1949 – 31.10.1966)	Liberal Liberal Country League (from 1951)		29.8.1956 – 14.10.1958	Elected 29.8.1956, opposed by one Member
	Liberal (from 1954)	23rd 17.2.1959 – 2.11.1961	17.2.1959 – 2.11.1961	Re-elected 17.2.1959, unopposed
		24th 20.2.1962 – 1.11.1963	20.2.1962 – 1.11.1963	Re-elected 20.2.1962, unopposed
		25th 25.2.1964 – 31.10.1966	25.2.1964 – 31.10.1966	Re-elected 25.2.1964, unopposed Retired from Parliament

ASTON, Hon. Sir William John, KCMG, (Knighted Jan. 1970)	Liberal		26th 21.2.1967 – 29.9.1969	21.2.1967 – 29.9.1969	Elected 21.2.1967, opposed by one Member
Phillip, NSW (10.12.1955 – 2.11.1961 and 30.11.1963 – 2.11.1972)			27th 25.11.1969 – 2.11.1972	25.11.1969– 2.11.1972	Re-elected 25.11.1969, opposed by one Member Defeated at general election 1.12.1972

COPE, Hon. James Francis, CMG	ALP	ALP (from 5.12.1972)	28th 27.2.1973 – 11.4.1974	22.2.1973 – 11.4.1974	Elected 27.2.1973, unopposed
Cook, NSW (from 21.5.1955) Watson, NSW (from 10.12.1955) Sydney, NSW (25.10.1969 – 11.11.1975)			29th 9.7.1974 – 11.11.1975	\|9.7.1974 – 27.2.1975	Re-elected 9.7.1974, opposed by one Member Resigned 27.2.1975 (resignation received by Administrator)

SCHOLES, Hon. Gordon Glen Denton, AO Corio, Vic. (22.7.1967 – 8.2.1993)

ALP

27.2.1975 – 11.11.1975

Elected 27.2.1975, opposed by one Member Change of government affirmed at general election. Nominated for Speakership but not re-elected in 30th Parliament

SNEDDEN, Rt Hon. Sir Billy Mackie, KCMG, QC (Knighted Jan.1978)	Liberal	Lib – NCP (from 11.11.1975)	30th 17.2.1976 – 10.11.1977	17.2.1976 – 10.11.1977	Elected 17.2.1976, opposed by previous Speaker
Bruce, Vic. (10.12.1955 – 21.4.1983)			31st 21.2.1978 – 19.9.1980	21.2.1978 – 19.9.1980	Re-elected 21.2.1978, opposed by one Member
			32nd 25.11.1980 – 4.2.1983	25.11.1980 – 4.2.1983	Re-elected 25.11.1980, opposed by one Member Change of government at general election. Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 33rd Parliament

JENKINS, Hon. Dr Henry Alfred, AM	ALP	ALP (from 11.3.1983)	33rd 21.4.1983 – 26.10.1984	21.4.1983 – 26.10.1984	Elected 21.4.1983, unopposed
Scullin, Vic. (25.10.1969 – 20.12.1985)			34th 21.2.1985 – 5.6.1987	21.2.1985 – 20.12.1985	Re-elected 21.2.1985, opposed by one Member Resigned from Parliament 20.12.1985

CHILD, Hon. Joan, AO	ALP			11.2.1986 – 5.6.1987	Elected 11.2.1986, opposed by one Member
Henty, Vic. (18.5.1974 – 13.12.1975 and 18.10.1980 – 19.2.1990)			35th 14.9.1987 – 19.2.1990	14.9.1987 – 28.8.1989	Re-elected 14.9.1987, opposed by one Member Resigned 28.8.1989

McLEAY, Hon. Leo Boyce	ALP		29.8.1989 – 22.12.1989	Elected 29.8.1989, opposed by one Member
Grayndler, NSW (23.6.1979 – 13.3.1993)		36th 8.5.1990 – 8.2.1993	8.5.1990 – 8.2.1993	Re-elected 8.5.1990, opposed by one Member Resigned 8.2.1993
Watson, NSW (13.3.1993 – 31.8.2004)

MARTIN, Hon. Stephen Paul Macarthur, NSW (1.12.1984 – 13.3.1993) Cunningham, NSW (from 13.3.1993 – 16.8.2002)

ALP

37th
4.5.1993 – 29.1.1996

4.5.1993 – 29.1.1996

Elected 4.5.1993, opposed by one Member Change of government at general election. Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 38th Parliament

HALVERSON, Hon. Robert George, OBE Casey, Vic. (1.12.1984 – 31.8.98)

Liberal

Lib – NP (from 11.3.1996)

38th
30.4.1996 – 31.8.1998

30.4.1996 – 3.3.1998

Elected 30.4.1996, unopposed Resigned 3.3.1998

SINCLAIR, Rt Hon. Ian McCahon, AC New England, NSW (30.11.1963 – 31.8.1998)

Country Party
National Country Party (from May 1975)
National Party of Australia (from October 1982)

4.3.1998 – 31.8.1998

Elected 4.3.1998, opposed by one Member Retired from Parliament

ANDREW, Hon. John Neil Wakefield, SA (5.3.1983 – 31.8.2004)

Liberal

39th
10.11.1998 – 8.10.2001 40th
12.2.2002 – 31.8.2004

10.11.1998 – 8.10.2001
12.2.2002 – 31.8.2004

Elected 10.11.1998 unopposed
Re-elected 12.2.2002, unopposed Retired from Parliament

HAWKER, Hon. David Peter Maxwell, Wannon, Vic. (7.5.1983 –

Liberal

41st
16.11.2004 – 17.10.2007

16.11.2004– 17.10.2007

Elected 16.11.2004, unopposed Change of government at general election. Not nominated for re-election as Speaker in 42nd Parliament

JENKINS, Harry Alfred Scullin, Vic. (8.2.1986 –	ALP	ALP (from 3.12.2007)	42nd 12.2.2008 – 19.7.2010	12.2.2008 – 19.7.2010	Elected 12.2.2008, unopposed
			43rd 28.9.2010 –	28.9.2010 –	Re-elected 28.9.2010, unopposed

* The Speaker, being a Member and elected by the House, ceases to hold office as Speaker when the House is dissolved (Constitution, s. 35). However as it was found necessary for certain administrative reasons that there be a person to act as Presiding Officer from the date of dissolution until the election of a new Speaker the Parliamentary Presiding Officers Act was passed in 1965. That Act provides that the person who was Presiding Officer immediately before a dissolution shall, for the purposes of the exercise of any powers or functions by the Presiding Officer under a law of the Commonwealth, be deemed to continue to be the Presiding Officer until a Presiding Officer is chosen by the House. Similarly, if the Speaker resigns his or her office or seat, he or she is deemed to continue to be Presiding Officer until a Presiding Officer is chosen by the House. Also under the Parliamentary Allowances Act the allowances to a Speaker who is re-elected at a general election are continued until a successor is chosen.

Updates in red

Print this appendix (PDF 115KB)