VPRS 11212 General Subject Files, Speaker

Full description

This series comprises files on a variety of subjects created by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly documenting the Speaker's activities.

The Speaker is a member of Parliament, elected by other members to chair debates impartially, and enforce the Assembly's rules. He or she is the most important officer in the Assembly, and is often called the 'presiding office'. The President is the Council's presiding officer. Outside the Chamber, the Speaker carries out ceremonial duties and is responsible for Parliament's administration. The position of the Speaker was first established by s 20 of the Constitution Act 1855 (now s 39 of the Constitution Act 1975).

The Speaker's roles include:

In the Chamber
The Speaker chairs the debates in the Assembly. This means the Speaker must interpret the Legislative Assembly's rules objectively, and deal with all members in the same way. Consequently, the Speaker does not normally take part in debates. The only time the Speaker votes is to break the tie if the votes are equal.

The Assembly's official representative
The Speaker is the Assembly's representative in official matters and on ceremonial occasions. He or she regularly attends official functions, and entertains distinguished Australian and international visitors at Parliament House. The Speaker also signs the formal documents the Assembly sends to the Governor or the Legislative Council.

Responsibility for Parliament's administration
The Speaker is responsible for the Department of the Legislative Assembly and, together with the President, the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS). DPS provides support services and resources to members, their staff and parliamentary officers.

Within the Department of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker's role is similar to the relationship a minister has with a government department. The Speaker oversees major policy decisions, and the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly manages the day-to-day operations.

This series contains files created by the following Speakers:

* Dr K Coghill, Speaker [1988-92]
* A Andrianopoulos, Speaker [1999-2003]
* J Maddigan, Speaker [2003-06]
* J Lindell, Speaker [2006-10]

Each Speaker creates his or her own records. At the end of each Speaker's term these records may be archived or transferred to the incoming Speaker.