Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said his "shock invitation" to be Speaker in the NSW Legislative Assembly would ensure regional and rural NSW had a strong voice in
parliament.
It was an unusual development in state politics this week, when Mr Torbay was personally invited by Premier Morris Iemma to assume the auspicious parliamentary role of speaker for the lower house.
Yesterday Mr Torbay told The Leader he received a call from newly re-elected Premier "out of the blue" on Wednesday night, inviting him to take on the role of Speaker and to become the Premier's independent adviser for rural affairs. The Speaker's role is not ministerial but is almost always a position delivered to a member of the ruling party, particularly in the case of a clear majority.
The Speaker is expected to chair parliament in an independent and impartial manner.
They are also expected to oversee the administration and operation of parliament including staffing and ambassadorial functions.
The Speaker of the house also has the casting vote, however, Mr Torbay said it was unlikely he would use that privilege considering Labor's majority. He said his focus was squarely on improving the standard of debate within the Legislative Assembly and restoring the reputation of
parliament.
"I will be ruthlessly fair, bring it back to a debating chamber not a slanging chamber," he said.
"I am in a good position to
do that because I am an
independent."
Mr Torbay said he had accepted the Premier's invitation on the proviso that he would also head an independent regional taskforce.
The taskforce would assess the Government's failings in the bush and would include key country organisations like the Country Women's Association, NSW Farmers' Association and the Local Government and Shires Association.
Inverell mayor and vice-president of the NSW Shires Association Barry Johnston said he was pleased to hear a taskforce would be established in "Mr Torbay's capable hands".
"It's a first in my local government career and Richard has been an absolute champion of local government," he said.
Mr Johnston said the move would lead to partnership rather than confrontation between local and state levels of government
Mr Torbay gained 74 per cent of the primary vote in his electorate, at last count, making him one of the most popular politicians contesting the 2007 poll.
He has held his position since 1999 and before that was a strong force in local
politics.
Northern Tablelands president of the Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division) Clive O'Connor released a statement yesterday afternoon saying the invitation proved Mr Torbay was a "de facto member of the ALP".
"For the Northern Tablelands, this means we no longer have a vote on the floor of parliament and the Labor government will have a free rein to strip services, run up deficits and run down infrastructure as they have done for the past 12 years," he said.
Mr Torbay maintains he was unaware of the Premier's offer before receiving the call and had not entered into any discussion on the appoi-ntment previously.
"You could have knocked me over with a feather I was so surprised," he said.
Mr Torbay said his increased parliamentary role would not be detrimental to his electorate and would improve their representation because he would have direct access to the Premier and ministers. The Labor caucus is yet to meet and vote on the position of Speaker.
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