Liberal Alex Somlyay accepts Labor offer for Deputy Speaker job

LABOR has brokered a deal with Queensland Liberal MP, Alex Somlyay, to become deputy speaker and help the Government with its knife-edge majority.

Mr Somlyay, who was dumped as chief opposition whip in the latest Coalition shuffle, has agreed not to support no-confidence motions against the Gillard government or back the blocking of supply which would bring down the Government.

Labor has the numbers, with the independents and Mr Somlyay, to vote on the floor of the parliament for Harry Jenkins to become Speaker and Mr Somlyay to be his deputy.

The Opposition is now trying to consider what action to take at its partyroom meeting on Monday faced with Mr Somlyay’s deal with Labor.

MPs will elect the Speaker and a deputy when parliament sits on Tuesday, the first time it has met since the August 21 election failed to give either of the major parties an absolute majority.

The offer to Mr Somlyay came after the Coalition refused yesterday to agree to provide a pair for a Labor Speaker.

Pairing allows parties to maintain their numbers even if people are absent from the chamber.

Mr Albanese accused Tony Abbott of being a “wrecker” who did not want to play a constructive role in the parliament.

“Under those circumstances the Labor Party believes it is important to have the best and most experienced person for the job, that is why we will be nominating Harry Jenkins,” he said.

“I've had a number of discussions with members of the Coalition,” Mr Albanese said in Melbourne.

“It is fair to say there is great deal of anger within Coalition ranks with Tony Abbott - many members of the Liberal Party and the National Party have expressed their concern.

“I understand Tony Abbott has been pushing Philip Ruddock but it is my understanding they will walk away from that.”

Earlier, independent MP Bob Katter - who backed Mr Abbott to be prime minister in negotiations after the election - said he wasn't surprised Labor was sounding out Coalition MPs.

“If I was the ALP I would be rushing to support him too, but Harry Jenkins is the best Speaker I may have served under in my 37 years in parliament,” he told The Australian Online.

“This was ill-advised by Tony Abbott - he's burning up capital, he looks like he is a disrupting influence and it's taken attention away from Julia Gillard.”

Mr Katter said Mr Abbott had wasted valuable political capital by walking away from the deal to pair the Speaker, but he wouldn't switch his support to Ms Gillard.

Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/liberal-alex-somlyay-reported-to-be-considering-breaking-ranks-over-speaker-deadlock/story-fn59niix-1225928867342